Yamuna rises above danger level… hundreds evacuated
NEW DELHI: With a flood threat looming large due to a swollen Yamuna river crossing the danger mark in Delhi, teams of the Delhi government on Saturday began to evacuate hundreds of persons affected by the rising water level, officials said. The river water level rose as heavy rains continued in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, with the authorities releasing more water at Haryana’s Hathnikund barrage during the day.
Taking cognizance of the situation, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said, “Haryana has released 5 lakh cusec water. I have called an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.”
The Yamuna in Delhi was flowing above the danger mark at 205.06 meters by 10 am, an Irrigation and Flood Control Department official said. He added that the water level of the Yamuna river at the Delhi Railway Bridge was expected to rise further to 205.40 m from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm on Saturday, according to a statement issued by the East Delhi district administration.
An alert had been sounded on Thursday by the Delhi government after the water level of the Yamuna river crossed the danger mark, an official said. “All the executive engineers/ sector officers are directed to keep in close contact with the control room in relation to the discharge, water level at the Old Railway Bridge and the advisory or forecast from the Central Water Commission/met, and requested to take appropriate measures/steps accordingly to avoid flood-like situation,” the government order noted.
“The CWC, Upper Yamuna Division, New Delhi has issued flood forecast for the Delhi Railway Bridge (North Delhi Dt NCT, Delhi). The water level of river Yamuna at Delhi Railway Bridge was 205 meters at 9 am on 28 July (warning level 204.00 m),” the advisory said.
However, when contacted, a Haryana government official rubbished the claims of releasing excess water saying, “On Saturday morning, over 200,000 cusecs was released into the Yamuna from the barrage -- which provides drinking water to New Delhi.”
The official said that water at the Hathnikund barrage along the Haryana-uttarakhand border had risen to alarming levels owing to overnight downpour in catchment states, making authorities release the extra water. The Yamuna passes through Yamunanagar, Karnal and Panipat districts in Haryana before entering New Delhi.
The Delhi government has formed a flood-related emergency control room, which can be reached by dialling 1077.
Haryana govt has released 5 lakh cusecs water from Hathnikund barrage, says CM Arvind Kejriwal