Yamuna rises a meter above danger mark, but Delhi Government says no need to panic

New Delhi, Sept.10 (ANI): The Yamuna River, which flows on the outskirts of Delhi, rose a meter above the danger mark of 204.83 meters on Friday, after Haryana released over 800,000 cusecs of water in the last two days from the Hatnikund barrage.

Television reports quoted officials as saying that they fear the level might go up to 207 meters by Friday, which could lead to a flooding of low-lying areas.

While Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said there was no need to press panic buttons and that there was no danger to the Commonwealth Games Village, the areas facing a possible threat of flooding include Batla House, Garhi Mandu, Yamuna Bazaar, Nigambodh Ghat, Shastri Park and Madanpur Khadar.

The state government has reportedly sought the help of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to deal with the situation.

"Delhi government is taking all precautionary measures to deal with the situation. Almost over 90 per cent people living in the low-lying areas have already been shifted to safer places. We are ready for any kind of situation," Dikshit said Thursday.

Dikshit claimed that only 3.5 lakh cusecs of water is expected to reach Delhi from Haryana.

She admitted that the present situation is a matter of serious concern.

Meanwhile, Flood Control Minister Raj Kumar Chouhan has said that over 100 booster pumps have been fitted along the banks of the river to pump out water, which may enter the low-lying areas.

An NDTV report said that the Flood Control Department has 85850 empty cement bags, 3582 cubic meters of stone, 11 trucks and 422 life jackets to meet the challenge.

The excess water released from the Hatnikund barrage has also affected several villages in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur District. (ANI)