Yamuna rises above danger mark in Delhi, people living near river being moved out

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The water level in the Yamuna rose above the danger mark of 205.33 metres in Delhi today due to heavy rainfall in the catchment area of the river prompting the authorities to issue a warning.</p>
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The Delhi flood control room said the water level touched 205.38 metres at 4 pm on Friday and steps were being taken to evacuate people residing in the low-lying areas near the river.</p>
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The water level at the Old Railway Bridge rose from 203.86 metres at Friday 8 am to 205.29 metres by 3 pm, the flood control room said.</p>
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The flood control department on Thursday advised all sector officers to keep a vigil in their respective areas and take necessary action at vulnerable points by deploying quick-reaction teams to warn people residing near the river.</p>
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Thirty-four boats and mobile pumps have been deployed in anticipation of floods in low-lying areas.</p>
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East Delhi District Magistrate Anil Banka said, "Around 37,000 people who live in Yamuna-floodplains and low-lying areas in Delhi are considered vulnerable. We have shared a flood control plan with all departments concerned."</p>
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"We have been making announcements urging people to shift to safer areas. Evacuation efforts will start if the water level crosses the 206-metre mark. It may happen this evening or tomorrow morning." The people will be shifted to temporary structures like tents and permanent buildings like schools in safer areas, Banka said.</p>
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The Delhi flood control room reported a discharge rate of around 2.21 lakh cusecs from the Hathnikund Barrage at 3 pm on Thursday and 1.55 lakh cusecs at midnight. It was 97,460 cusecs at 6 am.</p>
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Normally, the flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage is 352 cusecs, but the discharge increases after heavy rainfall in the catchment areas. The water discharged from the barrage normally takes two to three days to reach the national capital.</p>
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According to the India Meteorological Department, heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred at a few places in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday.</p>
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It has also forecast widespread rainfall with isolated heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana on August 14 and 15.</p>