60 trapped as Yamuna overflows in east Delhi

For the first time in the last five years, water level of the Yamuna river flowing through the national capital has crossed danger mark to touch 205.55 meters, with authorities stepping up precautionary efforts.

For the first time in the last five years, water level of the Yamuna river flowing through the national capital has crossed danger mark to touch 205.55 meters, with authorities stepping up precautionary efforts.

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At least sixty people were trapped by flood waters after their jhuggies were inundated at the catchment area of the river in Umanpur area in east Delhi.

"They ignored our earlier warnings to shift from the site when the water level had touched the danger mark. Now we have evacuated them to safer places," Development Minister Rajkumar Chauhan told PTI.

Jhuggi dwellers spent the day shifting their household goods to safer places with the help of the administration.

"This is for the first time in the last five-six years that water level in Yamuna has reached to 205.55 meters. However there is no imminent threat to life and property," he said.

The river had crossed the danger mark of 204.83 metres in September 6, 1978, when it rose to 207.49 metres and caused heavy floods in the city. The danger levels were also crossed during 1995 and 1998 when the water level of the river rose to 206.96 metres and 206.18 metres respectively.

"The water level in the Yamuna has risen consistently as Haryana is releasing 2,5000 cusecs of rainwater everyday. And if this continues, the water level is expected to further rise in the next few days," he said.

As a precaution, the authorities are releasing more than 50,000 cusecs of water from Wazirabad barrage to Okhla barrage as well ITO barrage. Also, control rooms have been set up at strategic places to keep a round-the-clock vigil on the water flow.