Ambala, July 7
Before receding, the floodwaters claimed two more lives in Ambala district, taking the toll to six. Fifteen-year-old Happy of Ambala cantonment was drowned while crossing the Tangri river. A resident of Boh village, Bhupender Singh, was also drowned.

While residents of the twin cities of Ambala cantonment and Ambala city got some relief after the floodwaters began receding, villagers of surrounding areas continued to be a harassed lot. Sadopur villagers blocked the Chandigarh-Ambala highway to protest against the absence of a drainage policy. The blockade was lifted after an hour on the intervention of the police.

Ambala city’s Sector 9, Baldev Nagar, Manav Chowk, Police Lines, Model Town and Court Road were still under 3-ft water. In Ambala cantonment, Kabari Bazar, Rai Market and Mahesh Nagar remain water-logged.

The Kingfisher tourist complex continues to be under 4-ft water. Its functioning has been suspended since yesterday. The twin cities have been without electricity and water supply for the past 40 hours. Sources in the power department said water had entered the Dhoolkot power station, damaging machinery.

Rail traffic also remained disrupted today. Only Shatabdi Express, Jan Shatabdi and Bhatinda Intercity Express, were back on track today as were 15 goods trains to Punjab and Delhi. The rail track at Mohri and Dukheri stations continued to be water-logged.

Meanwhile, water is coming in the SYL canal from Punjab in a large quantity, which could create problem in the adjoining village close to Naggal. DC said the breach in the Tangri in Punjab had been plugged. The army had been deployed in Dadihana and Dandheri villages for the rescue operations.