Yamuna level rises again in Delhi, people evacuated

Water level in the Yamuna continued to flow above the ‘danger mark’ of 204.83m on Wednesday forcing the government to restart evacuation of people living on the floodplains

Water level in the Yamuna continued to flow above the ‘danger mark’ of 204.83m on Wednesday forcing the government to restart evacuation of people living on the floodplains.

A submerged hut is seen in the Yamuna River as the water level has started receding at Usmanpur in New Delhi, India. (HT File Photo)

From Tuesday’s 205.30 m, the river’s level increased to 205.72m on Wednesday, prompting the Delhi government to evacuate at least 600 people, comprising mostly labourers, farmers and cattle-grazers, from the low-lying areas of floodplains to makeshift camps set on higher grounds.

This is the second time this monsoon that the government has had to start the evacuation process along the river. Before this, the last time the Yamuna breached the 205m was in 2013 when the water level touched 207.3 m.

According to the government’s report, until 7:30 pm, the city administration had pitched 432 tents to shelter the evacuated. “There are 613 people living in these tents, even as food is being served to 1991 people,” said an official on condition of
anonymity.

The biggest evacuation took place in the north-east district where 716 people were evacuated.

This was followed by the south-east district where 300 people were taken to the tents.

Officials of the irrigation and flood control department, however, said the river water was unlikely to enter the main city. It could at the most inundate the floodplains.

This season, the water level in Yamuna had touched a five-year peak of 206.5m for the first time on July 31, resulting in a flood.

At least two persons, including an 11-year-old girl, were killed more than 13,900 people had to be evacuated. But, this time, the water level is not expected to breach the 206m mark.

The chief secretary of Delhi held a meeting with various departments on Tuesday to take stock of the flood situation and preparedness.

“Six men and three dogs were rescued from Usmanpur five Pushta. Leaves of the government officials concerned were cancelled. Apart from setting up tents, food packets are also being distributed. Boats have been kept ready,” said K Mahesh, district magistrate of east Delhi.