Police close Loha Pul to traffic as Yamuna flows above danger mark

NEW DELHI: The Yamuna water level remained above the danger mark on Sunday with deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia carrying out an inspection of the low-lying areas. The water level was recorded at 205.51m at 6pm on Sunday and another 1,12,540 cusecs was released from the Hathni Kund barrage in the evening. The warning level for the Yamuna is 204m, while the danger mark is 204.83m.

Meanwhile, Delhi Traffic Police on Sunday shut the Old Yamuna Bridge connecting north and east Delhi after an alert by Delhi Disaster Management Authority. The bridge will remain closed until the water level recedes.

Joint CP (traffic) Alok Kumar said that adequate personnel have been deployed to divert traffic from the area. “We have asked people using the bridge to take alternative routes through ITO or Geeta Colony,” he added.

Sisodia took stock of the ongoing evacuation work in low-lying areas around Akshardham and Pandav Nagar. The evacuation work had started on Saturday evening when the water level reached 205.3 metres at 7pm.

Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board has been asked to place mobile toilet vans and set up tents for the evacuated families. Officials said nearly 15,000 families have been affected and they would be accommodated in corporation schools. Both the education department and municipal corporations have been asked to provide space.

Following the sudden increase in the water level, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal held an emergency meeting on Saturday evening directing all departments to stay on high alert and evacuate people from lowlying areas.

The flood and irrigation department said the water level was steady at 6pm, but they expected it to rise to around 205.65m by Monday. “With more water set to be released from Hathni Kund barrage, the water level may touch 206.6m by 7pm on Tuesday,” an official said.

The Yamuna’s water level at Hathni Kund barrage crossed the danger mark by 7pm on Saturday forcing 5,63,186 cusecs of water to be released. “We have made temporary arrangements on the Yamuna Pushta road. Government officials visited the site and directed that boards be put up forbidding people to go near the river,” said 20-year old Shehru Khan, a daily wage labourer.