Yamuna in spate, 3,000 people shifted (Lead)

New Delhi : The Yamuna, already flowing above the danger level in the capital, is expected to swell further on Tuesday as authorities in Haryana will release more water from Hathnikund barrage following incessant rains in the neighbouring states.

Over 3,000 people living in the low-lying areas of the national capital have so far been shifted after the Yamuna crossed the red mark on Saturday, officials said.

The movement of trains was, however, restored on the old Yamuna bridge on Monday after being suspended since Sunday night due to the rising level of the river.

The water level in the Yamuna was recorded at 205.76 metres on Monday. The danger mark is 204.83 metres. The water level is expected to rise to 206.50 meters on Tuesday, an official said.

The old Yamuna Bridge connects north and east Delhi.

Rains continued to lash many parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, forcing authorities to release more water from Haryana's Hathnikund barrage.

"More water is being released from the barrage every hour, which will have an impact on the Yamuna level in Delhi. We are keeping a close watch," a Flood Control Department official told IANS.

The water released from the Hathnikund barrage, which provides drinking water to New Delhi, normally takes 72 hours to reach the city.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday directed his Cabinet Minister Kailash Gehlot to visit the people affected by the flood waters and ensure arrangements for the displaced.

The authorities, meanwhile, continued to evacuate the affected people to safer places.

Till Monday evening, about 3,000 people had been shifted. The evacuation started on Saturday.

East Delhi's District Magistrate K. Mahesh also visited the low-lying areas and said the situation was under control and that the government was fully prepared to tackle any emergency.

"As many as 67 boats have been deployed at 23 locations. We have made arrangements to shift the affected persons to school campuses and night shelters," an official said.

He said that although the river level was flowing above the danger mark, the situation, as of now, was not worrisome. Quick response teams have been activated, the official said.

The National Disaster Relief Force too was on standby.