Yamuna breaches danger mark in Delhi again, heavy rains in Himachal to blame

Almost two weeks after water level in the Yamuna in Delhi receded, the river started swelling up again on Tuesday and has breached the danger mark to touch 205.15 metres.

Delhi may witness a flood-like situation as 1,74,072 cusec water was released from Haryana’s Hathnikund barrage on Monday. On Tuesday, 48,716 cusec of water was released from the barrage, officials said.

The water released from the barrage, which provides drinking water to Delhi, normally takes 72 hours to reach the city. Himachal Pradesh has been receiving heavy rainfall the past few days due to which the Yamuna is in spate.

The river had crossed the danger mark of 204.83 metres on July 28 after parts of northern India, including Delhi, witnessed heavy rains.

In a review meeting held on Tuesday, the Delhi chief secretary directed all departments to take the same steps which were taken between July 28 and July 31 — when the river flowed above the danger mark.

He directed the departments to deploy boats at vulnerable points. People living in the riverbeds will be relocated from Wednesday morning to buildings or tents installed by the government in higher areas.

First Published: Aug 14, 2018 21:07 IST