Yamuna submerges danger mark in Delhi

The Yamuna river had overflown its danger mark in the national capital, an official said today.

According to Delhi government's irrigation and flood department, the water level in Yamuna had reached 204.98 metres as against the danger mark of 204.83 metres by 9 am today  as a bout 8.06 lakh cusecs of water from Haryana was released yesterday at the Hathnikund barrage and an additional 3.38 cusecs of water was released this morning.

The Delhi government started evacuation of people from low-lying areas along the banks of the Yamuna yesterday.

The department is keeping a close eye on the level of the river level.

The highest recorded levels have been 207.49 metres in 1978 and 207.11 metres in 2010.

Meanwhile,  the national capital was preparing for the highest-ever discharge of water from the Hathinikund barrage, released by Haryana on last morning.

Delhi would receive around 8 lakh cusecs of water within 36 to 72 hours, forcing the government to sound the third and highest warning.

The Delhi government also reviewed the preparations for flood control and evacuation on yesterday and on the direction of chief minister Sheila Dikshit, chief secretary D M Spolia chaired a high-level review meeting with departments concerned.

According to Spolia departments had been warned that shifting of responsibilities would not be tolerated. He said he had instructed all agencies to submit a report on the status of the flood situation by 6.30 pm everyday.

He added jurisdictional issues should not be taken into consideration while tackling flooding and waterlogging problems.

He also directed the revenue department to evacuate all families from Yamuna riverbank areas, by today afternoon.

According to Spolia, the structural stability of the barrage needed to be reviewed and instructions had been issued to the Director of Local Bodies to inform all agencies involved in developmental works in unauthorised colonies to render all possible assistance to the municipal corporations in dealing with flood problems.

Spolia said that the Delhi Traffic Police had informed that 50 areas were waterlogged, affecting the flow of traffic.

He added, control rooms had been activated and permission had been granted to procure additional pumping sets and personnel.

He said different agencies had nominated their teams to take care of all 153 waterlogging points and nodal officers had been appointed accordingly.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has been asked to  monitor the functionality of traffic signals as impaired signals resulted in heavy traffic jams.