Flood Alert in Delhi: Flood alert issued in Delhi, Yamuna water level crosses danger mark

An 'alert' has been sounded for evacuation of people living in low-lying areas along the banks of Yamuna river in Delhi and the water level of Yamuna river has risen to 206.18 meters above the danger mark of 205.33 meters due to incessant rains in the upper catchment areas. After this year the water level has increased the highest so far.

East Delhi District Magistrate Anil Banka said an 'alert' was issued on Tuesday morning for people to be evacuated after the water level crossed the 206-meter mark, officials said on Tuesday.

He said the low-lying areas on the banks of the river are being evacuated and people are being shifted to higher places. Arrangements have been made for their stay in government schools and night shelters in the surrounding areas. Banka said that the announcements are being made to caution the people because of the possibility of a further rise in the water level.

The low-lying areas along the river in Delhi are considered flood-prone areas, where about 37,000 people live. This is the second time in two months that the authorities have evacuated people living in low-lying areas due to the flood-like situation.

The water level in the Yamuna river had risen above the danger mark of 205.33 meters on August 12, following which around 7,000 people were evacuated from low-lying coastal areas. On August 13, the water level reached 205.99 meters and after that, it started receding.

The Delhi Flood Control Room said that the water level on the Old Delhi Railway Bridge crossed 206 meters at 6.45 am on Tuesday. The water level in the river rose to 206.18 meters till 9 am. According to the forecast of the flood control room, the water level is likely to rise to 206.5 meters between 3 pm and 5 pm during the day. Officials reported the release of around 96,000 cusecs of water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana at 7 am. One cusec is equal to 28.32 liters per second.

It usually takes two to three days for the water released from the barrage to reach the capital Delhi. Parts of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and North Uttar Pradesh have been receiving continuous rain for the past few days. Delhi also received rain for four days from September 21.

Impact on areas adjacent to Delhi

At the same time, thousands of acres of crops sown in the submergence area of ​​Loni Yamuna Khadar in Ghaziabad have been submerged due to an increase in the water level of the Yamuna due to the release of water from the Hathini Kund barrage.

Similarly, Yamuna water has also entered Basantpur Colony, situated on the banks of Yamuna in Faridabad, adjacent to Delhi. Due to this people have started vacating the house. However, no relief work has been started by the district administration yet.

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