'Priority Is To Save Lives': CM Kejriwal Says Yamuna Water Level Expected To Increase Further

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged the people living near Yamuna to shift to safer locations as the water level is expected to rise further.

A Delhi Metro train passes by as the swollen Yamuna river floods low-lying areas, in New Delhi. ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the reason behind the rise in Yamuna water level is the water coming from Haryana’s Hathnikund Barrage and Himachal Pradesh. He further urged the people living near the river to shift to safer locations as the water level is expected to rise further. Kejriwal chaired an emergency meeting as the water level of Yamuna touched a record high of 207.7m on Wednesday. “We are also getting the help of the central government. We have asked the SDRF team to be in reserve. Right now, our priority is to save lives,” he said, adding, "I have also written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting him to reduce the flow of water entering Delhi, only then we can stop the Yamuna River from overflowing."

#WATCH | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, says "The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi has reached 207.71 metres, which is the highest ever. Delhi has not received rainfall in the last 2-3 days. Water is entering Delhi from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Regarding this, I have also… pic.twitter.com/wPUZk7XO3u

— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2023

Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal earlier wrote, "Central Water Commission predicts 207.72 meter water level in Yamuna tonite. Not good news for Delhi. There have been no rains in Delhi last 2 days, however, levels of Yamuna are rising due to abnormally high volumes of water being released by Haryana at Hathnikund barrage. Urge Centre to intervene and ensure that levels in Yamuna don’t rise further. Highest Flood Level 207.49m (in 1978). Current Level 207.55m."

Central Water Commission predicts 207.72 meter water level in Yamuna tonite. Not good news for Delhi.

There have been no rains in Delhi last 2 days, however, levels of Yamuna are rising due to abnormally high volumes of water being released by Haryana at Hathnikund barrage.… pic.twitter.com/3D0SI2eYUm

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 12, 2023

It is to be noted that the national capital recorded a rapid increase in the Yamuna water level over the last three days. It shot up from 203.14m at 11 am on Sunday to 205.4 at 5pm on Monday.

As Yamuna breached the evacuation mark of 206m on Monday night, the Old Railway Bridge was closed for road and rail traffic, and the people residing in flood-prone areas had to be relocated to safer locations.  

Delhi water minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said the government is prepared to deal with the situation. "We are monitoring the situation and all possible steps are being taken," news agency PTI quoted Bharadwaj as saying. He also said that all possible measures are being taken to prevent any further damage.

As per the government, 45 boats have been deployed for evacuation and rescue work, and NGOs have been roped in to provide relief to the evacuated people, PTI reported.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police imposed Section 144 as a precautionary measure in the flood-prone areas. Earlier in the day, Delhi Police personnel used a boat to evacuate trapped people in Mandali area.

"Rescue operations at Yamuna Hhadar, people being convinced to evacuate but for them milch property gets priority even at the sake of threat to life and liberty," IPS Chhaya Sharma tweeted.