Yamuna river crosses 207 m mark in Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 23 (ANI): The Yamuna rose over two meters above the danger level and crossed the 207 m mark in Delhi for the first time since 1978 on Thursday.

Authorities said the water level is expected to go up further by afternoon, but insisted that all arrangements have been made to deal with the situation.

The water level went up after Haryana released 7.5 lakh cusec of water into it on Monday, the highest discharge in last 100 years.

"The volume of water that has been released this time has been massive," said an official.

"Hathnikund started releasing over one lakh cusecs water on Saturday evening and by Monday, it had been releasing almost 7.5 lakh cusecs water. Since this water is still coming in, we have to see what level the river will rise to. Once it attains its peak, the river will remain at that level for most of Thursday and then start falling gradually. But there is just too much water coming into it right now so it's for sure not coming down very soon," he added.

Meanwhile, the Railways have cancelled 22 trains in view of the closure of the Old Yamuna bridge and announced diversion of 65 other trains.

The National Highway connecting Delhi with Lucknow and Bareilly-Badaun road remained closed.

Earlier, Chairman of the MCD Standing Committee Yogender Chandolia has said that all concerned departments, particularly health and sanitation, have been directed to remain on alert.

He said that the areas of Usmanpur, Model Town, Garhi Mandu, Kashmere Gate, ISBT, Yamuna Pusta, parts of Mayur Vihar, Okhla and Jamia Nagar may be affected.

The Health Department has been directed to depute Mobile Dispensaries with doctors and adequate stock of medicines. The Sanitation Department has been directed to keep clean likely areas to be affected. (ANI)