New Delhi: A massive traffic snarl was witnessed across the national capital on Thursday as several key areas of the city were submerged in flood water, with the water level of the Yamuna River touching a record high today. The level of Yamuna reached 208.53 metres at 10 am, breaking a 45-year-old record.
The raging river has inundated several areas, impacted public and private infrastructure, road and rail traffic, and caused immense hardships to people living near the river.
Massive traffic congestion was witnessed in Sarai Kale Khan, ITO, Shastri Park, and Nizamuddin area, among other areas.
Earlier in the day, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority directed all non-essential government offices, schools and colleges in the city to be closed till Sunday. Private establishments across the city have been advised to work from home.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday urged the Centre to intervene, while the city police imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in flood-prone areas to prevent unlawful assembly of four or more people and public movement in groups.
According to PTI, Delhi recorded a rapid rise in the Yamuna's water level over the past four days. It shot up from 203.14 metres at 11 am on Sunday to 205.4 metres at 5 pm on Monday, breaching the danger mark of 205.33 metres 18 hours earlier than expected.
The river exceeded the evacuation mark of 206 metres Monday night, prompting the relocation of people residing in flood-prone areas to safer locations and the closure of the Old Railway Bridge for road and rail traffic.
The water level breached the previous record of 207.49 metres by 1 pm on Wednesday and the 208-metre mark by 10 pm.