Yamuna river crosses danger mark

The rain-swollen Yamuna river crossed the danger mark today, increasing the risk of floods in the low-lying areas along its banks, an official said.

The rain-swollen Yamuna river crossed the danger mark on Sunday, increasing the risk of floods in the low-lying areas along its banks, an official said.

HT Image

"The water has reached 205.17 metres, which is well above the danger mark of 204.83 metres," an official of the flood control department told IANS.

He said the water level in the river is expected to rise to 205.45 metres. The water level had crossed 204 metres on Saturday, prompting the flood control room to sound an alert.

"Civic agencies have been told to evacuate people from low-lying areas," said a Delhi government official.

A flood warning was sounded in the capital Friday after continuous rainfall pushed up the water level in the Yamuna. Haryana also released over 400,000 cusecs of water into the river upstream.

Last year, the water level reached 206 metres, leading to the evacuation of people from slum clusters along the river bank.

The Delhi government has said it is fully prepared to tackle any situation.

"We have boats for rescue operations. Relief camps are also being set up in various areas. All the necessary arrangements have been taken care of. Delhi has thousands of people living in low-lying areas near the Yamuna," said a Delhi government official.