Yamuna set to swell as Haryana releases record water upstream

Water level in the Yamuna in Delhi will swell to a new high, as Haryana released water in the river today morning.

Water level in the Yamuna in Delhi will swell to a new high, as Haryana released water in the river on Sunday morning.

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Delhi government officials said Haryana released 8.06 lakh cusecs water from the Hathini Kund barrage into the Yamuna, which is a record amount of water. It will take 36 hours to reach Delhi. The Yamuna is likely to cross the danger mark of 204.83 metres on Tuesday afternoon and touch the 207.2-metre mark on Wednesday.

In 2010, Haryana had released 7.44 lakh cusecs of water on a single day and the level of Yamuna in Delhi had reached 207.11 metres.

Delhi chief secretary DM Spolia reviewed the preparations made by various departments to check the 'flood-like situation' along the floodplains in Delhi.

"The revenue department has been told to evacuate families living in the floodplains by Tuesday afternoon. Special camps have been set up near the embankments for these families," Spolia said after the meeting.

Officials, however, added that due to high embankments along the river, the water cannot enter the city and only low-lying areas along the floodplains will be affected. The top official, however, asked the agencies to take special care of the eastern embankment of Yamuna.

Spolia directed all departments concerned to ensure proper coordination. He instructed the director, local bodies, to inform all agencies involved in developmental works in unauthorised colonies to render all possible assistance to the corporations in dealing with flood problems.

To check the problem of waterlogging in the city, Spolia asked the departments concerned to procure additional pumping sets and personnel. Meanwhile, the traffic police also submitted a list of 50 waterlogging points to the Delhi government. Officials said 30 of these points are new.

"Delhi Police have been asked to submit a daily report and keep a close eye on the functioning of traffic signals," said a senior Delhi government official.