Yamuna water inches towards unprecedented level, 1 drowns

New Delhi, Jun 19: Low-lying areas along the Yamuna were on Wednesday flooded as water level in the river inched closer to breaking the 207.49 metres mark, the highest in recorded history, prompting the authorities to evacuate over 5,000 people even as a man drowned in the river.

Appealing to the people not to panic, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the administration was "fully ready" to face any eventuality as all concerned departments and agencies have been putting in their best efforts to deal with the situation. The water level in the river was recorded at 207.32 metres at 7 pm, which is 2.49 metres above the danger mark of 204.83 metres.

The highest water level of 207.49 m in Yamuna was recorded in 1978 when several areas in the city had witnessed flash floods. Officials said the water level is expected to cross the highest level by midnight tonight. The city government has asked the army to be on alert for helping the civil administration, if required.

The water level in Yamuna has gone up primarily due to release of around 11 lakh cusecs of water into Yamuna by Haryana from its Hathnikund barrage in the last three days. The neighbouring state released around one lakh cusecs of water into the river today.

PTI