Extreme flood alert in Indian capital as River Yamuna breaches critical 208.46 million mark
India's Central Water Commission estimated that the level of River Yamuna can reach up to 208.75 meters between 3-5 pm on Thursday in the national capital New Delhi. At 7 am on Thursday, the river swelled up to 208.46 meters as an 'extreme flood alert' was issued in the capital city and flood water entered Delhi's ITO area.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the Central government to intervene and ensure that the release of water from the Hathnikund barrage of Haryana is slowed which is leading to Yamuna flooding.
Meanwhile, thousands of people who were staying in low-lying areas of the capital were shifted to safe places as a precautionary measure.
Yamuna water level crosses danger mark
After the capital city received heavy rain for consecutive days, Yamuna's water level breached the danger mark of 205.33 metres. Since then, the water level has risen rapidly. However, as the intensity of the rain gradually weakened, Kejriwal on Monday said stated that the city was facing no immediate flood threat.
By 1 pm on Wednesday, the water level breached and reached an all-time record of 207.49 metres and the level went beyond the 208-metre mark on Thursday morning.
The primary reason for the Yamuna flooding is believed to be the extreme rainfall that the capital received in a very short span of time. The Central Water Commission's official said that water which was released from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana reached Delhi in less time, in comparison to other occasions. This could have happened because of siltation and encroachment. Experts stated that the water passes through a constricted space which may have led to an increase in the speed of the water. The experts stated that if the city had received the same amount of rainfall over an expanse of a few days, it would not have led to such extreme situations.
Various areas affected by flooding
All the low-lying areas near Yamuna were affected as the flood water of the river entered the ring road on Wednesday. The river water has flooded Boat Club, Monastery Market, Neeli Chhatri Temple, Yamuna Bazar, Neem Karoli Gaushala, Vishwakarma colony, and the stretch between Majnu ka Tila and Wazirabad till Wednesday evening.
Parts of Mayur Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, Sarai Kale Khan, Badarpur, Jamia Nagar, and Shaheen Bagh also stand at the risk of facing a flood-like situation if the water level continues to rise. Kashmiri Gate and ITO were also flooded because of the rise in the water level of Yamuna.
The Garhi Mandu village, which is located near Signature Bridge in Wazirabad, was also submerged by the flood water.
An advisory was issued by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Wednesday for some of the cremation grounds which are located near the Yamuna river considering the rising water level after incessant rainfall.
