BackFlood alert: Yamuna water level surpasses warning mark; Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to order evacuation once...
Delhi Rain: CM Kejriwal called a meeting to address waterlogging in the city caused by heavy rains and rising levels of the Yamuna River. The river has surpassed the warning mark of 204.5 meters, and the water level is expected to rise further.
PremiumDelhi RainNews: After two days of abundant rainfall, Monday morning brought pleasant weather to the national capital. However, in the afternoon Delhi witnessed heavy rainfall. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed authorities to evacuate people from low-lying areas around Yamuna once the water level reaches 206-metre mark.
The Delhi CM also assured people that that experts have said the flood situation might not arise in the national capital.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) tweeted that heavy rainfall affected Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Delhi, with certain areas experiencing extremely heavy showers in the afternoon today. The meteorological department has predicted a generally cloudy sky with the possibility of moderate rain.
Water level of Yamuna
The Yamuna river due to Delhi rains has surpassed the warning mark of 204.5 metres as Haryana released more water into the river from the Hathnikund barrage due to ongoing heavy rains in the upper catchment areas. According to a flood bulletin, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge reached 204.63 metres at 1 pm on Monday. The warning level is set at 204.5 metres.
It is projected that the water level will further rise to 205.5 metres between 10 am and 12 noon on Tuesday, crossing the danger mark of 205.33 metres.
The water level is expected to further increase and reach 205.5 metres between 10 am and 12 noon on Tuesday, surpassing the danger mark of 205.33 metres.
The irrigation and flood control department has reported a gradual increase in the flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage. It rose from 1,05,453 cusecs at 4 pm on Sunday to 2,54,806 cusecs at 10 am on Monday.
Normally, the flow rate at the barrage is around 352 cusecs. However, heavy rainfall in the catchment areas has led to a significant increase in the discharge. It takes approximately two to three days for the water from the barrage to reach Delhi.
The low-lying areas near the river in Delhi considered prone to flooding are inhabited by around 37,000 people. In response to the rising water levels, the Delhi government issued a flood warning on Sunday and initiated the process of relocating people residing near the river banks to safer areas.
Waterlogged roads
Commuters had to navigate waterlogged roads and face traffic congestion during the morning hours. The Pragati Maidan tunnel, which was closed on Sunday due to waterlogging, will remain closed on Monday as well. Delhi Traffic Police took to Twitter to advise commuters to plan their journeys accordingly.
The carriageway from Anand Vihar to Shamshan Ghat, Gazipur is experiencing traffic disruption due to waterlogging near Gazipur underpass. Delhi Traffic Police shared this information on Twitter.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called for a meeting on Monday to address the waterlogging situation in the city caused by heavy rains and the rising levels of the Yamuna River, according to officials.
The meeting took place this afternoon at the Delhi Secretariat and was attended by Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, Education Minister Atishi, and other officials from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
Speaking at a press conference, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal assured that while a flood-like situation is unlikely in Delhi, the government is fully prepared to handle any unforeseen circumstances. He stated that the evacuation of people residing in low-lying areas will commence once the river exceeds the 206-metre mark.
RWFC New Delhi tweeted that a thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain is expected to occur over Delhi and adjoining areas
Authorities have been instructed to remain vigilant and take necessary actions in vulnerable areas. Quick response teams and boats have been deployed for emergency situations.
To monitor the flood-prone areas and the water level of the Yamuna, the Delhi government has established 16 control rooms, including a central control room.
In response to the continuous heavy rainfall, Delhi Education Minister Atishi issued an order on Sunday to ensure the safety of schools. All regional directors, zonal directors, deputy directors, principals, and vice principals of the education department were instructed to conduct physical inspections of schools.
Northwest India has been experiencing incessant rainfall for the past three days, with regions in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan recording heavy to extremely heavy precipitation.
This has resulted in overflowing rivers, streams, and drains, causing significant damage to infrastructure and disrupting essential services in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
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