Yamuna continues to breach danger mark, water level reaches 206 metres

The water level in the Yamuna river remained above the danger mark for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday, prompting the Delhi government to evacuate as many as 10,000 people from the flood-hit areas. They have been shifted to tents set up at safer places, far away from the catchment areas of the national capital.

The river was flowing at 206 metres in early Tuesday morning with the danger mark being 204.83 metres. "Delhi: River Yamuna continues to flow above the danger mark, water level reaches 206 marks," the news agency ANI reported.

Earlier on Monday, the traffic movement on the old Yamuna bridge was temporarily closed, leading the Indian Railways to cancel 27 trains and divert seven others. The Old Yamuna bridge, also known as ‘Lohe Ka Pul’ serves as a major connectivity link between Delhi and the neighbouring states.

The vehicular movement also came to a standstill on the Geeta Colony flyover and commuters remained stuck in jams for hours.

Delhi: River Yamuna continues to flow above danger mark, water level reaches 206 marks pic.twitter.com/GAjB3VW4kV

— ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2018

In the view of this flood-like situation in the national capital, Revenue Minister Kailash Gehlot visited the affected areas and directed officials to ensure all proper arrangements like food, water, medical help and others.

Meanwhile, discharge from the Hathani Kund Barrage between 6 am and 9 pm was 5,13,554 cusecs, with water level expected to rise further.

Kicking off a political blame game over the crisis, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan criticised Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying that there was no advance planning to rehabilitate people affected by rising water level in the river and they were at the "mercy of an insensitive" dispensation.

"People along the Yamuna in Delhi are at the mercy of an insensitive government. As the river is rising above danger mark due to incessant rains, no advance planning in place, not enough shelter for people caught up in flood waters. @BJP4Delhi, @BJP4India," Vardhan tweeted.

According to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, the highest water level recorded at Old Yamuna Bridge was 207.49 metres, 207.11 metres and 207.32 metres in 1978, 2010 and 2013 respectively.