As the Yamuna River breaches a 45-year record at the Old Delhi railway bridge, reaching a staggering 207.55 meters, concerns for flood risks in Delhi escalate rapidly. In response to this alarming situation, Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, summons an emergency meeting.
The sudden surge in Yamuna River levels has surpassed the previous 1978 record of 207.49 meters, with an official warning of further increases. Consequently, authorities have activated Section 144 CrPC in flood-prone areas, anticipating potential calamities.
In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Kejriwal expressed his concerns, predicting that the river levels could further increase to 207.72 meters by Wednesday night. The water levels had already crossed the danger mark of 205.33 meters earlier than expected, jumping from 203.14 meters on Sunday to 205.4 meters on Monday.
The release of a high volume of water from Haryana’s Hathnikund barrage is reported as the cause of the surge in the river levels. Kejriwal requests Shah’s assistance to regulate the water release from the barrage to avert a crisis.
In light of the river reaching its highest levels, an emergency meeting has been convened at the Delhi Secretariat, including all senior officials from relevant departments.
#WATCH | Water level of river Yamuna continues to rise in Delhi. Visuals from Old Railway Bridge.
Today at 8 am, water level of the river was recorded at 207.25 metres at the Bridge, inching closer to the highest flood level – 207.49 metres. The river is flowing above the… pic.twitter.com/e46LLHdeVe
— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2023
Swollen River Invades City Areas
Delhi is grappling with the fallout as water from the engorged river spills into the city, causing significant distress to its residents. Areas like the Monastery market near Kashmere Gate and Ring Road have been affected, compelling people to relocate.
Authorities have deployed heavy machinery for evacuations and set up sandbags to mitigate the water intrusion from the river. Delhi water minister, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Delhi Minister, Atishi, assured the public of their preparedness to address the situation, stressing continuous monitoring and timely evacuations along the Yamuna River.
Rising river levels have forced thousands of Delhi residents to be evacuated to safer locations, a testament to the serious threat posed by the engorged Yamuna River.
