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Dredging Saves the Day: Sharda Canal Project Prevents Flood Disaster
22 Aug
Summary
- 43 districts in Uttar Pradesh declared flood-affected
- Dredging of Sharda canal provided a permanent solution to annual floods
- CM Yogi's directive led to a cost-effective ₹22 crore project, saving lakhs of farmers
As of August 22, 2025, the state of Uttar Pradesh is facing a major flood crisis, with 43 districts declared flood-affected. Major rivers, including the Ganga, Yamuna, Ghagra, and Sharda, have been flowing above the danger level, leading to the inundation of 2,505 villages and 1,44,945 hectares of agricultural land, affecting over 9.3 lakh people.
However, the flood situation has been significantly mitigated in certain districts due to the state government's proactive measures. Specifically, the Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, had directed the dredging of the Sharda canal, a crucial waterway that flows through 12 districts of the state. This ₹22 crore project, a significant reduction from the initial ₹180 crore estimate, has proven to be a game-changer, preventing the annual devastation caused by the Sharda's heavy flow.
As a result of the dredging, the districts that previously faced severe flooding due to the Sharda have not seen the same level of destruction this year. The government has also established 1,376 flood shelters and shifted over 91,000 flood victims to safety, while deploying 3,273 boats and motor boats for relief and rescue operations.
The Chief Minister's foresight and the successful implementation of the Sharda canal dredging project have not only saved lives and livelihoods but also benefited the state's revenue by crores. This proactive approach has set a precedent for effective flood management and disaster mitigation in the region.
