Delhi: Yamuna River Breaches "Danger Mark", More Than 10,000 Evacuated; 10 Points

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the water level in the river is likely to rise further with more discharge from the Hathnikund barrage by neighbouring Haryana.

More than 10,000 people living in low-lying areas along the Yamuna in Delhi were evacuated by government agencies on Monday evening as the river breached the danger mark, the officials said. (ANI)

New Delhi: More than 10,000 people living in low-lying areas along the Yamuna in Delhi were evacuated by government agencies on Monday evening as the river breached the danger mark, the officials said. Water level of Yamuna river rose to 205.94 meters, 1.44 meters above the danger level of 204.5 meters on Tuesday. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the water level in the river is likely to rise further with more discharge from the Hathnikund barrage by neighbouring Haryana. At 6 pm last evening, the river breached the danger mark and was flowing at 205.36 metres. While at 9 pm, the Yamuna was flowing at 205.54 metres, according to the Flood Control Room. "In view of rising level of Yamuna, around 10,000 people have been evacuated from floodplain and shifted to relief tents erected by the administration," a senior official said. CM Kejriwal while addressing a press conference said that more than 23,800 people will be required to be moved out from low-lying areas, according to official estimates.

Delhi: Water level of Yamuna river rises to 205.94 meters, 1.44 meters above the danger level of 204.5 meters. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/yBEbn1FS5q

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2019

1) People living in the floodplain of the river have been moved to the over 2,000 tents set up by various Delhi government agencies at safer places. 2) The Old Iron Bridge over the Yamuna was closed down for road and rail traffic by the authorities as the water level crossed the danger mark of 205.33 metres. 3) Kejriwal said the next two days are going to be "critical" and assured the people that all arrangements were being made to deal with the situation and appealed to people not to panic. 4) CM has urged those living in the Yamuna floodplain to move to the relief tents and not venture out to their homes. 5) So far, 2,120 temporary shelters have been set up, where food, water and other amenities are being provided by government agencies. Also Watch |  Delhi On Flood Alert After 40 Years 6) In many areas close to the river, the flood waters entered houses. Flooding at Nigam Bodh cremation ground disrupted last rites and caused inconvenience. 7) Kejriwal said there was no need for people to panic but those in low-lying areas needed to move to temporary shelters. 8) The CM has also urged parents to not allow their children near the river or to go for swimming or bathing in the swelling waters. 9) The Yamuna flows through six districts of Delhi whose low-lying areas are prone to flooding. The administration has deployed 30 boats to prevent accidental drowning. 10) The official said that 1.39 lakh cusec water was also released at 8 pm on Monday, which will lead to a steep rise in the Yamuna water level in Delhi on Tuesday. (With inputs from PTI)