Delhi govt in a huddle as Yamuna surges, people moving to safer places
The Yamuna was flowing at 203.37m on Sunday evening and is expected to touch 207m on Monday as 828,000 cusecs water was released from Haryana’s Hathini Kund barrage at 6pm, an official said.
delhi Updated: Aug 19, 2019 11:30 IST
With the water level in the Yamuna racing towards the danger mark, Delhi Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will on Monday take stock of the preparedness of government departments and the relief measures that are being undertaken.
Rains have played havoc in several north Indian states with 30 people losing their lives to floods, landslides and cloudbursts. The hill states of Himachal Pradesh, with 23 deaths, and Uttarakhand, with 7 deaths, have borne the brunt of the rain fury. Three people have died in Punjab.
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Earlier experiences show that more than 10,000 people need to be evacuated when water level crosses the danger mark during monsoons. The administration has already started evacuating people, putting up tents and rescue teams and boats are on standby. Medicines, food and water are also being kept ready.
While the CM’s meeting is scheduled at 1 pm, the divisional commissioner of Delhi will be also holding a meeting at 11:45 am today.
Read more: Rain and flood leave trail of destruction across four states, dozens dead
“Water is being released from the Hathni Kund Barrage in Haryana. The water discharged from Hathni Kund Barrage normally takes 72 hours to reach the capital” said an official of the irrigation and flood control department.
The Yamuna’s water level at 10 am today was 204.8m. Officials apprehend that the level could soon cross the danger mark of 205.3m. In 2018 it went up to 206.05m. The highest water level recorded was in 1978 when it reached 207.4 m.
“People are usually evacuated when the water level rises beyond the danger mark during monsoons. Focus is on six districts along the Yamuna,” said an SDM of one of the districts.
First Published: Aug 19, 2019 10:31 IST