Locals Evacuated As The Water Level Of Yamuna River Crossed Danger Mark

The continuous release of a large amount of water from the Hathnikund Barrage into the Yamuna following heavy rain in parts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh led to a rise of water level above the danger mark of 206.56 metres.

As a result, the working of the old Yamuna bridge (Old Loha Pul) was suspended on Sunday as announced by the Northern Railway.

As per the officials, a further increase in the water level of the river is expected to impact relief and rehabilitation work in the flood-affected low-lying areas of the capital. The administration also urged people to vacate the low-lying areas of the national capital.

Revenue Minister Atishi on Saturday said the Delhi government is on high alert due to the discharge of over 2 lakh cusecs of water from the Hathnikund Barrage into the river and that some parts of Yamuna Khadar (floodplains) might get inundated if the water level rises to 206.7 metres.

"Water entered some houses in the low-lying areas...as a precautionary measure, people have been evacuated to a safer place. The situation is normal at the moment and we are monitoring the water level and spreading awareness about it," Additional Commissioner of Police, Sureshrao Kulkarni said.

As the water level in the Yamuna River breaches danger mark, Delhi Jal Board Vice-Chairman Saurabh Bhardwaj on Sunday inspected the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and said that the Delhi government has made embankments and reinforcement at vulnerable spots to prevent flood water entering the water treatment plants.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rain in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand till July 25.