Several low-lying areas along the Yamuna were flooded on Wednesday as water rose to unprecedented levels reaching 207.2 metres at the Old Railway Bridge. A statement from the Chief Minister’s office also noted that a person taking bath at Majanu Ka Tila drowned in the Yamuna and his body is yet to be recovered.
The Delhi Government deployed all its personnel and resources for rescue and relief measures while Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit visited camps set up in various areas such as Mayur Vihar Phase-I, DND flyover and along L.M. Bandh.
Ms. Dikshit noted that the highest ever quantity of water has been released from Hathini Kund this year and that her administration was on the alert and ready to respond as per the situation. She interacted with the flood-affected people and advised them not to panic as the government has taken adequate measures. Till date 400 people have been rescued while 5,000 have been evacuated and provided shelters at 19 camps. Further, 62 boats and adequate number of divers have been deployed.
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While the Delhi Government has stated that low-lying areas may face disruption in power supply and the administration is taking steps to repair the lines, discom sources said the Delhi Government has asked them to restrict electricity supply to certain low-lying areas as a precautionary measure. Some of the affected areas inclue Vishkarma Colony, Jaitpur and Dhobi Ghat. Discom sources said 82 power connections have been suspended in the Badarpur Khader area falling in the Karawal Nagar division while 172 connections have been switched off in low lying areas of Garhi Mandu, Usmanpur, Gurudwara and Bela farm areas. On Delhi Jal Board request , connections to two ranney wells each in Lakshmi Nagar and Krishna Nagar divisions have been disconnected.
In addition, the city government has asked the Army to be on alert for helping the civil administration if required. The river crossed the danger level of 204.83 m on Tuesday morning, prompting authorities to evacuate around 2,000 people from various low-lying areas in East Delhi like Usmanpur, Yamuna Bazar, Bhajanpura and Shastri Park and set up relief camps for their shelter.
They said some low-lying areas near the river, including Garhi Mandu, Usmanpur Pusta and Jagatpur village were inundated by the Yamuna . Mobile medical teams and water tanks have also been pressed into service to help the affected people.
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