The old railway bridge over Yamuna river will be closed for traffic from Tuesday evening in view of rising river water levels. Continuous rain for weeks have inundated several area across Delhi-NCR. Heavy showers have led to an increase in the water levels of Yamuna river, which is now predicted to reach the evacuation mark of 206 metres by Tuesday evening.
In view of the danger the rising water levels pose, the authorities here have advised people living in the Yamuna floodplains of the national capital to relocate to safe locations. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta assured that the city is not in danger.
How serious is the danger?
The Irrigation and Flood Control Department has said that the Hathnikund barrage discharged 3,29,313 cusec of water at 9 am on Monday, whereas the Wazirabad barrage discharged around 38,900 cusec at the time the flood warning was issued.
“This time, despite a high discharge of over 3 lakh cusecs, the level is expected to go up to 207 metres or above. But I can assure the people that they need not worry, as flooding will not occur beyond the floodplains. We are receiving hourly reports and are monitoring the situation. Delhi is not in danger,” the chief minister said, quoted PTI.
Two years back in 2023, the water level had risen to 208.66 metre, leading to heavy flooding in several areas for a month.
“There is an average of 72 hours for the water to reach here. We are fully prepared. The preparation is such that as much water comes in, it will be drained out. In the last six months, we have done the desilting of drains, and there is no blockage,” Gupta told reporters on the sidelines of an event.
Delhi government asks people to be on alert
Delhi CM said that areas around Yamuna floodplains will be affected and that the residents will face issues. She added that the inundation will be restricted to that area.
Irrigation and Flood Control minister Parvesh Sahib Singh, in a statement, said, “All sector officers, district administration, and police have been placed on high alert. Preparations have begun to shift people living in vulnerable areas along the floodplains to safer places. Round-the-clock patrolling has been initiated on embankments, and regulators and pumps are under constant supervision.”
He urged citizens to be on alert and extend full cooperation to the authorities. He added, “Timely action and collective responsibility will ensure that every precaution is taken in the interest of public safety.”
“With discharge from the Hathnikund barrage crossing 3 lakh cusecs, and the river at the Old Railway Bridge flowing at 204.87 metres, forecasts suggest the level may cross the danger mark of 206 metres within the next 36 to 48 hours,” he said.
