GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 10th July. The Yamuna River crossed the 204.5-metre warning level in Delhi as Haryana let extra water into the river from the Hathnikund dam amid heavy rainfall in the upper catchment districts.
The water level at the Old Railway Bridge rose 204.63 meters around 1 p.m. on Monday, according to a flood warning.
The water level is expected to climb to 205.5 metres between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Tuesday, crossing the 205.33-metre danger mark.
In a press conference, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stated that while a flood-like situation is unlikely in Delhi, the government is prepared to deal with any eventuality.
The flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage steadily increased to 3,05,768 cusecs at 5 a.m. on Monday, according to the irrigation and flood control agency. At 1 a.m., it had reduced to 1,90,837 cusecs.
The flow rate at the barrage is normally 352 cusecs, although heavy rain in the catchment areas raises the discharge. It takes two to three days for the water from the barrage to reach Delhi.
On Sunday, the Delhi government issued a flood warning and is raising awareness among residents living along the river’s banks.
Evacuation of people living in low-lying areas would begin if the river reaches 206 meters, said Kejriwal.
Authorities have been directed to remain attentive and take appropriate measures in sensitive regions. Boats and rapid reaction teams have been deployed.
The Delhi government has set up 16 control rooms, including a central control room, to monitor the flood-prone areas and the water level of the Yamuna.
Northwest India has seen incessant rainfall over the last three days, with many areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan recording “heavy to extremely heavy” precipitation.
This has resulted in overflowing rivers, creeks and drains that have massively damaged infrastructure and disrupted essential services in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab.
Delhi witnessed its highest rainfall (153 mm) in a single day in July since 1982 in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday. The city received an additional 107 mm rainfall in the subsequent 24 hours, exacerbating the situation.
The heavy rain transformed roads into gushing streams, parks into watery labyrinths and marketplaces into submerged realms.
In response to the torrential rain, the Delhi government announced a closure of all schools on Monday and cancelled the Sunday leave of government officials, instructing them to be in the field.
The Yamuna river system’s catchment covers parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.
The low-lying areas near the river in Delhi are considered prone to flooding and are inhabited by around 37,000 people.
Encroachments on the river floodplain have occurred over the years, despite the land belonging to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), revenue department and private individuals.
The river breached the danger mark twice in September last year. (with agency inputs)
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