Delhi braces for floods as Yamuna nears danger mark; CM Rekha Gupta says evacuation underway

NEW DELHI: Delhi is bracing for possible floods with Yamuna expected to cross the danger mark of 205.33m early Tuesday. A statement from Delhi CM's office said the water level could rise beyond 207m, a situation that calls for immediate evacuation from low-lying areas.The old railway bridge has been closed for operations, and the evacuation process under supervision of district magistrates has been initiated in several areas, with people living under the old railway bridge, parts of Mayur Vihar and Yamuna Bazar, among others, being moved. Officials said camps were being set up and food-related arrangements being made.The rise in water level follows release of over three lakh cusecs from Haryana's Hathnikund barrage between 8am and 5pm Monday after heavy rainfall in the mountains.

The discharge at Hathnikund barrage, which is normally less than 50,000 cusecs, was 1.65 lakh cusecs at 4am and 2.10L cusecs at 5pm on Sunday, rising to 3.11L cusecs by 8am on Monday and further to 3.23L cusecs by 12pm.

The water released from Hathnikund normally impacts the city in 36 to 48 hours.

Delhi is well prepared and situation is being monitored, says CM Rekha Officials from the Delhi govt said that two regulators - which control the flow of major drains - were shut at Vijay Ghat and Tonga Stand in the central Delhi area to avoid backflow of the Yamuna into houses through drains.

Officials said that to keep the major city channels clear, stormwater will be pumped out into the Yamuna. During the floods of 2023, river water back-flowing through drains and sewage into people's homes was a major problem. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department has issued a flood warning, directing district magistrates, police, and other agencies to take precautionary steps, including evacuating residents of low-lying areas and those living along the riverbanks. According to the forecast, the Yamuna could touch 206m between 5pm and 8pm on Tuesday."As the water level of ORB may cross the danger level and is likely to exceed 206.50m (CWC advisory may be expected soon). So, all sector officers are hereby advised to keep a strict vigil in their respective areas and to take necessary action at vulnerable points, such as people residing within river embankments shall be warned and shifted to safer places.

Police and I&FC department staff would undertake patrolling along the right and left marginal embankments and keep vigil round-the-clock on the vulnerable points, regulators/pumps etc as required," stated a report from the I&FC department.CM Rekha Gupta said the govt and the departments concerned were prepared for all actions and the situation was being monitored and necessary measures taken. "All barrage gates have been opened to ensure smooth flow, preventing any stagnation.

The water is flowing out as swiftly as it enters," said Delhi irrigation minister Pravesh Sahib Singh. He also urged people not to panic and assured them that there was no risk of flooding in outer areas. Gupta said the floodplains are part of the river's ecosystem and urged people living in such areas or in the vicinity of the river to exercise caution and strictly follow instructions issued by the administration.The CM said that given the volume of water released from the Hathnikund Barrage, it is estimated that the water level may rise to 207 metres or slightly higher.