Yamuna water level drops but floods many low-lying areas

The Yamuna river was flowing slightly below the ‘danger mark’ on Tuesday, flooding low-lying areas and prompting authorities to erect tents for the affected people.

According to the Central Water Commission (CWC) data, the water level of the Yamuna at Old Railway Bridge in Delhi was 205.30 metres at 11 p.m. on Tuesday. The water level on Monday was 205.73 metres, breaching the ‘danger mark’ of 205.33 metres.

The water level has been on a decline and is expected to fall further by Wednesday, the CWC said.

In the monsoon, the water level of the Yamuna in Delhi increases due to rain and the release of excess water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana, which receives rainwater from the upstream areas.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited Yamuna Bazar in east Delhi, a low-lying area, and assured the flood-affected people of full government support. Ms. Gupta said the authorities were keeping a close watch on the flood situation and were ready to deal with any emergency.

As per the protocol, if Yamuna crosses the 206-metre mark, also called the ‘evacuation mark’, about 12,500 people are to be evacuated from the six districts close to the river.

The administration has put up tents in low-lying areas in different parts of the city, but evacuation has not yet started, as per officials.

After the Yamuna crossed the ‘warning mark’, the authorities sounded an alert in the low-lying areas.