Evacuations have begun as Yamuna water level in Delhi is expected to rise to 206.7 metres by 4 PM today. The Delhi government is on high alert as more than 2 lakh cusecs of water have been discharged from the Hathnikund barrage.
Delhi is on high alert once again and flood-hit victims have again been shifted to relief camps at Ring Road as the water level in Yamuna River rose above the danger mark again on Sunday morning. According to the Central Water Commission, as of 8 AM, Yamuna water level was recorded at 205.9 metres at the Delhi Railway Bridge.
The water is expected to rise further to 206.7 metres by 4 PM today, the level at which evacuations begin for people residing in low-lying areas in the capital. The CWC, however, said that thereafter, the water level will likely remain steady.
The Delhi government has been on high alert for the past two weeks since more than 2 lakh cusecs of water have been discharged from the Hathnikund barrage. The latest rise in Yamuna water level is due to the heavy rain in parts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
"Discharge from Hathnikund Barrage remained above 2 lakh cusecs mark for seven hours after overnight rain in upper catchment areas of the Yamuna, with peak discharge being 2,51,987 cusecs recorded at 2 pm. This significant volume of water is expected to reach Delhi within 36 hours, posing a risk of mid-scale floods in the capital, which is still recuperating from one of the worst flood spells it experienced in the second week of July,” said Bhim Singh Rawat, associate coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People.
Some parts of Yamuna Khadar (floodplains) might get inundated if the water level in the river rises to 206.7 metres but the government is ready for evacuation, Delhi's revenue minister Aitshi said in a statement. "The situation has sparked concern, prompting the government to take proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents," she added.
While the second spell of floods has not adversely affected Delhi yet, several houses were inundated by floodwater in neighbouring Noida due to the rise in the Hindon River water level.
"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 told news agency ANI.
Yamuna water level in Delhi, which had been hovering around the danger mark of 205.33 metres for the last few days, dropped below the threshold on Saturday morning. However, the river’s level peaked at 205.02 metres later in the day, just shy of the danger mark of 205.33 metres.
"The second spell of floods will likely see the Yamuna river reclaiming most of its floodplain in Delhi. Given the valuable insights gained from the last flood spell this month, city planners and policymakers must take note of the lessons learned. It is imperative for the relevant government departments to be on high alert and maintain internal coordination.
"Citizens are counting on the swift response of authorities, expecting all the gates of the ITO barrage to be opened and fully functional. Additionally, immediate attention should be given to fix any breached sites and bunds," Rawat said.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rain in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand till July 25.
Parts of Delhi have been grappling with waterlogging and flooding for more than a week now. Initially, a downpour caused intense waterlogging on July 8 and 9, with the city receiving 125 per cent of its monthly rainfall quota in just two days. Subsequently, heavy rains in the upper catchment areas of the Yamuna, including in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana, led to the river swelling to record levels.
At 208.66 metres on July 13, the Yamuna surpassed its previous record of 207.49 metres set in September 1978 by a significant margin. It breached embankments and penetrated deeper into the city than it has in over four decades.
The consequences of the floods have been devastating, with more than 27,000 people evacuated from their homes. The losses incurred in terms of property, businesses and earnings have run up to crores.