Yamuna in Delhi above danger mark, flood fear kicks evacuation work
New Delhi : Heavy rainfall has brought North India to its knees, resulting in the tragic loss of more than 37 lives over the past three days. The torrential downpours have wreaked havoc across the region as widespread destruction and several areas were seen submerged in knee-deep water.
The national capital, New Delhi, has been severely affected by the heavy rains. The water level of the Yamuna River surged beyond the danger mark of 205.33 meters last evening, and by this morning, it had reached a staggering 206.24 meters. This rapid rise was primarily due to the increased release of water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana, catching officials off guard as the river breached the danger mark earlier than expected. Initial predictions suggested that the danger mark would be crossed only by Tuesday afternoon.
Prompted by the escalating crisis, authorities have initiated large-scale evacuations of residents residing in low-lying areas prone to flooding. These individuals are being relocated to relief camps and community centers established in various parts of the city, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Responding to the situation, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chaired a high-level meeting to address the waterlogging concerns in the city and the rising water levels of the Yamuna River. In an effort to closely monitor flood-prone regions and the Yamuna's water level, the Delhi government has set up 16 control rooms dedicated to this purpose.
The meteorological department has issued forecasts of further heavy downpours for Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. As the rainfall intensifies, the Army and National Disaster Response Force have stepped up their efforts to provide relief and conduct rescue operations in the affected states.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has attributed the intensity of the downpour to the convergence of a western disturbance and monsoonal winds, exacerbating the situation across the affected areas.
