Delhi: Yamuna breaches danger mark; Kejriwal says no flood threat

Evacuation of people living in low lying areas of Yamuna floodplains began Monday evening with the river crossing the danger mark due to release of water from Hathnikund barrage in Haryana amid heavy rains in the northern belt of the country.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the waterlogging situation and rising level of the Yamuna, and asserted that there was no threat of flood as of now.

He said his government was prepared to deal with the situation and 41,000 people have been identified to be shifted to relief camps if the need arises.

The Yamuna crossed the danger mark of 205.33 metres in Delhi as torrential rains pummelled the upper catchment areas of the river for the third day on the trot.

The river breached the danger mark earlier than expected. It was predicted that it would cross the danger mark only by Tuesday afternoon.

Revenue Minister Atishi said people are being sent to safer places from Khadar (floodplains) area and district magistrates concerned have been directed to be on the alert.

"Each district magistrate has been directed to be on the alert. All the teams are ready. Sending the people from Khadar areas to safer places has started through public announcements, where arrangements are being made for their stay and food. The Chief Minister is himself monitoring the whole situation," she tweeted.

According to the Central Water Commission's (CWC) flood-monitoring portal, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge in Delhi had risen to 205.4 metres by 5 pm as Haryana released more water into the river from the Hathnikund barrage in Yamunanagar.

The evacuation of people from Yamuna floodplains began from the districts through which the river courses in Delhi.

"The evacuation exercise is underway with 8,100 people being evacuated from low lying areas. We have identified schools and community centres for keeping them,” an official from east district said.

The evacuated people wanted to stay in tents since the permanent structures are located some distance away. They are being accommodated in tents. There are medical teams to assist them.

There is also arrangement of food, DJB water tankers and portable washrooms, he said. Kejriwal, in a press conference, said it is "unlikely" that the city will face a flood-like situation in the near future.

"One question that is being asked to us by the citizens at the moment is that, are there chances of Delhi being flooded? It is dependent on the rainfall in Delhi and release of water from the Hathnikund barrage,” he said.

He stated that 3 lakh cusecs of water was released from the barrage Sunday night that reduced to 2.5 lakh cusecs Monday morning. The CM said the Delhi government was prepared to evacuate citizens if the need for it arose.

"If the level of the river goes beyond 206 metres, we will begin the evacuation,'' he said.