New Delhi: The Yamuna River in Delhi swelled to 207.71 metres on Wednesday, breaking the all-time record level of 207.49 metres as the national capital stood on the brink of a major flood triggered by incessant rains in northern India for the last several days.
The river had touched 207.49 metres during the devastating flood in 1978, officials said on Wednesday. The Central Water Commission's (CWC) flood-monitoring portal revealed that the water level at the Old Railway Bridge crossed the 207-metre mark at 4 am, the first time in a decade. It further rose to 207.25 metres by 8 am and broke the all-time record later in the day. Later in the day during a presser, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the water level had risen to 207.71 and would further increase.
'Vacate your houses': In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Kejriwal requested that "if possible, the water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana be released in limited speed" and pointed out that Delhi is set to host the G20 Summit meeting in a few weeks. "Following my letter, I got a call from Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who said that Hathnikund is just a barrage and there is no reservoir to store water and limit the water speed. The water volume being released from Himachal Pradesh has reduced and the situation will improve. But it will take time to reflect in the water level of the Yamuna," he said at a press conference after the meeting.
Following the meeting, Kejriwal had said that the focus at the moment is to protect lives. "Please vacate your houses. We have also been seeing that some people are going to watch the swollen river. Please don't go there to click selfies," he urged the people. He said Boat Club, Monastery Market, Neeli Chhatri Temple, Yamuna Bazar, Neem Karoli gaushala, Vishwakarma Colony, the stretch between Majnu ka Tila and Wazirabad have been submerged. The chief minister also said that Delhi government has informed NDRF that its help may be sought. District magistrates have also been directed to convert schools into relief camps, if needed, he said.
Delhi Police issues traffic advisory: The Delhi Traffic Police on Wednesday issued an advisory as the water level of the Yamuna river rose to 207.81 metres, breaching its all-time record of 207.49 metres set in 1978. Incessant rainfall in Delhi and surrounding areas has resulted in a rise in the water level of the Yamuna. Furthermore, the release of water from Hathni Kund Barrage has heightened the risk of flood-like conditions in low-lying areas in the vicinity of the river, it said in a statement.
Waterlogging on parts of the busy Ring Road, including on the stretch between Majnu ka Tila and Wazirabad, led to traffic congestion, Public Works Department (PWD) officials said. According to them, waterlogging was reported from three locations on the Ring Road -- between the Monastery Market and ISBT Kashmere Gate, Loha Pul and the stretch between Majnu ka Tila and Wazirabad.
"Traffic is affected on Ring Road between Monastery and ISBT Kashmere Gate due to the overflowing Yamuna river. Kindly avoid the stretch," the Delhi Traffic Police said in a tweet. "The Irrigation and Flood Control Department has put sandbags to stop the Yamuna from overflowing. PWD teams are using mobile pumps to pump out the water," said a PWD official.
45 Boats Deployed: People living in low-lying areas have been shifted to safer places at higher altitudes, an official from the administration said. The official said 45 boats have been deployed for awareness, evacuation and rescue work. NGOs have been roped in to provide relief to the evacuated people, the official added.
Multiple agencies monitor situation: All district magistrates concerned and their sector committees are alert and are working in coordination with Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Delhi Police, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board and other stakeholders to deal with the flood situation, the official said.
Closure of Rail Traffic: The rail traffic over the old Yamuna bridge in Delhi was temporarily suspended since Monday night after the water level breached the evacuation mark. Vehicular movement on the Old Railway Bridge was also barred as well as a precautionary measure. "The Old Railway Bridge has been closed for traffic. All gates of the Okhla Barrage have been opened to release excess water and prevent prolonged high water levels," a government official said.
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