Incessant rain across North India in the past few days has caused the water level of the Yamuna to surge well past the danger mark. In Delhi, the Yamuna crossed the danger mark on Saturday amid growing fears of flooding in the low-lying areas along the river.
Having issued alerts, the Delhi Government has begun the task of evacuation of people from the flood-prone areas and making arrangements for the erection of tents as part of relief and rehabilitation work.
It was at 3 p.m. on Saturday that the river crossed the danger level of 204.83 metres and the water level stood at 205 metres at the Old Railway Bridge. The Yamuna has been swelling in the city since water is being continually released from the Hathnikund barrage upstream in Haryana.
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Officials of the Flood Control Department said arrangements have been made for providing tents at several locations across the city to accommodate those who have been evacuated. “As of now we have sounded an alert and begun evacuating people from Usmanpur, Badarpur Khadar and Ghari Mandu,” said an official.
He said between 5 and 15 tents each are being put up in Usmanpur, Badarpur Khadar, Ghari Mandu, ISBT, near Chilla Village, opposite Akshardham Temple, Old Yamuna Bridge, Samshan Ghat Geeta Colony and Batla House in Okhla, depending on the requirement.
“While the alert has been sounded and evacuation is being carried out, these are just precautionary measure. As on date we do not face the threat of floods, but the Flood Control Department is monitoring the situation,” said an official.
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According to the officials of the Meteorological Department the city received 31.7 mm of rainfall from Friday morning till 8-30 a.m. on Saturday.