Delhi: Yamuna Water Level Nears Danger Mark, CM Kejriwal Calls Meeting

At 8 am, the water level of river Yamuna was recorded at 203.33 metres at Old Railway Bridge while the warning level of the river is at 204.50 metres

Heavy rainfall in Delhi and adjoining areas has caused Yamuna river to swell, nearing warning level mark. As on 8 am on Monday, the water level of Yamuna river was recorded at at 203.33 metres at Old Railway Bridge while the warning level of the river is at 204.50 metres, reported ANI, adding that 2.79 lakh cusecs of water was released from Hathinkund Barrage into river Yamuna today at 8 am on Monday. In view of the inclement weather condition and rising Yamuna water level, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called a meeting at the secretariat on Monday at 12 noon. 

Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that the water level of Yamuna is expected to the 204-metre mark on Tuesday. "Government will take all the necessary preparations, if the water level of Yamuna cross 205 metres, we will evacuate the people in nearby areas." 

"CM has called an emergency meet today of all departments & will review the preparedness...leaves of all officials have been cancelled and all have been instructed to be on field," Bharadwaj added. 

The meeting, which will also be attended by ministers Saurabh Bhardwaj and Atishi, will discuss the waterlogging issue caused by heavy rainfall in the national capital and and Yamuna's rising water levels. Senior officials of the Irrigation and Flood Control department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi will also be present in the meeting. 

Delhi recorded 153 mm of rain in a 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday, the highest in a single day in July since 1982, the India Meteorological Department said.

On Sunday, the Delhi government issued a flood warning as over one lakh cusecs of water was released from Haryana's Hathnikund barrage into the Yamuna river.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) said the water level in the river in Delhi is rising and is expected to surpass the danger mark of 205.33 metres on Tuesday, as per a PTI report. 

According to the CWC's flood-monitoring portal, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge touched 203.18 metres at 1 pm on Sunday. The warning level is 204.5 metres.

The water level is anticipated to rise to 205.5 metres between 11 am and 1 pm on Tuesday, the CWC said.