Yamuna receding; old bridge shut, 15 trains cancelled

NEW DELHI: Water level of the Yamuna, which swelled through the night breaching the danger mark around 4 AM, has started receding but is still above the warning mark, officials said on Sunday. The Yamuna bridge (Loha Pul) has been closed as a precautionary measure leading to the cancellation of 15 trains and 100 diversions. Also, a few trains have been short terminated, a railway spokesperson said.     "We are monitoring the situation closely and the staff concerned have been put on alert. Once the water level recedes, the bridge will be opened to rail traffic," the official said. According to the Central Flood Control room, the water level at 2 PM was at 204.76 metres, mainly due to discharge of water from Haryana's Palla barrage. The corresponding danger and water levels are 204 m and 204.83 m, respectively. Water Minister Kapil Mishra said disaster and flood management teams of the Delhi government rescued one family and around 60 people overnight. "The situation is improving and the water level will further go down from around 6 PM. Around 4 AM, it had crossed the danger mark at 204.9 m," Mishra said.