Yamuna flows above danger mark, over 900 evacuated

NEW DELHI - Hundreds of people were evacuated from low-lying areas in Delhi Monday as the Yamuna river flowed above the danger mark for the third consecutive day and the fear of floods loomed large over the city.

The water level in Yamuna touched 205.23 metres, 40 cm above the danger level, flooding Usmanpur, Yamuna Bazar, Bhajanpura and Shastri Park areas.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit assured the people that all necessary measures were being taken to cater to the affected people. So far, 916 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas.

“Today at 12 noon, the water level rose to 205.23 metres. There is nothing to worry as all precautionary measures have been taken,” Flood and Irrigation Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan told reporters her.

The river crossed the danger level of 204.8 metres late Friday.

The Yamuna was flowing above the danger mark after about 34,600 cusecs of water was released from Hathnikund barrage upstream in Haryana Monday. The state released water after heavy rainfall in the catchment area raised the level in the river Sunday.

“More water has been released by Haryana and it will reach Delhi by Monday evening. The water level is likely to rise further,” said an official at the flood control room set up to monitor the situation round-the-clock.

Camps have been set up in Usmanpur, Garhimandu, Badarpur Khadar, ISBT bridge, Shakarpur, Akshardham temple, old Yamuna bridge, Geeta Colony and Okhla to cater to the affected people.

“The city government is fully geared to meet any situation of flood due to rise in water level in Yamuna. About 150 technical staff members are monitoring the level (of the Yamuna),” the official said.

Besides, 63 boats along with divers and a team of disaster management force have been deployed near the banks of the river, the official said.