Delhi: Yamuna river breaches danger mark; flood alert issued

NEW DELHI: The Yamuna river in Delhi breached the danger mark of 205.33 metres on Friday amid heavy rains in the upper catchment areas.
The Delhi administration on Friday sounded a flood alert and expedited efforts to evacuate people living in the Yamuna flood plains.

The water level was recorded at 205.34 metres at the Old Railway Bridge at 11am. It was 205.22 metres at 8.30am, 205.10 metres at 6am and 205.17 at 7am, an official said, adding it is likely to rise further.
The department of irrigation and flood control said it has deployed boats in different areas of the national capital and has also put 21 others on stand-by for emergency situation.

The department added that the water level increased not only due to the torrential rain in Delhi, but also because Haryana has started discharging more water into the river from the Hathinikund Barrage.
According to the Delhi flood control room, the discharge rate at the Hathnikund Barrage peaked to 1.60 lakh cusecs on Tuesday afternoon, the highest this year so far.
The water discharged from the barrage normally takes two-three days to reach the capital.
Haryana had been releasing water from the Yumananagr-located barrage at the rate of 19,056 cusecs at 8am. The flow rate was 25,839 cusecs at 8pm on Thursday.
With inputs from agencies