The raging Yamuna River in Delhi has disrupted normal life and caused significant challenges for the city. Although the water level of the Yamuna remained stable for a short period on Thursday; it has started to rise again. Officials at the Hathnikund Barrage have expressed concerns that more floodwaters may enter the national capital on Friday.
Due to the flooding; key areas such as the secretariat where the chief minister and cabinet colleagues have their offices, have been submerged. Additionally; the closure of three water treatment plants – Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla – has resulted in a potential shortage of drinking water in the city.
In light of the situation; schools and colleges will remain closed until July 16 to ensure the safety of students and staff. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to alleviate the impact of the rising water levels and minimize the inconvenience faced by the residents of Delhi.
The water level of the Yamuna River at the Old Railway Bridge (ORB) in Delhi has shown a slight decrease. At 9 am, it was recorded at 208.40 meters, and by 10 am, it had lowered to 208.38 meters.
To ensure public safety and maintain order, approximately 4,500 police personnel have been deployed across all areas of Delhi. The movements of the Kawariyas, who are pilgrims carrying holy water from the Ganges River, are also being closely monitored.
There has been a noticeable decrease in water levels in certain areas such as Kashmiri Gate. However, the Ring Road area towards Wazirabad is still experiencing flooding. Efforts are being made to open Bhairon Marg by evening to ease traffic congestion. Motorists can expect traffic on NH 44, which is the national highway passing through the city.
In recent days, Delhi has witnessed a significant surge in the water level of the Yamuna River. The rise has been rapid, escalating from 203.14 meters at 11 am on Sunday to 205.4 meters at 5 pm on Monday. Remarkably, this breach of the danger mark of 205.33 meters occurred 18 hours earlier than anticipated.
As a precautionary measure, the Delhi police have imposed section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in flood-prone areas of the city. This step aims to ensure public safety and maintain order during this challenging time.
To safeguard residents in low-lying areas, the Delhi government has executed an evacuation plan. A total of 16,564 individuals have been relocated to safer places, with 14,534 currently residing in tents and shelters scattered across the city.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has penned a letter to the Central Water Commission, urging immediate action to mitigate the impending crisis.
The overflow from the Yamuna River has already reached low-lying areas such as Kashmiri Gate and ITO, posing a significant threat to the affected communities. Authorities are working diligently to address the situation and provide necessary assistance to those impacted by the flooding.