Delhi flood highlights: Capital received 11 mm rainfall in last 3 hours, says IMD

Three youths died in Delhi's Dwarka area on Saturday after they jumped over a wall and went inside a pit made at an under-construction golf course, a police official said.

The deceased have been identified as Arun, Anuj and Abhishek who were residents of Qutub Vihar and were aged about 20-25 yrs, the Delhi Police said.

“Around 8 pm, information was received that three boys have entered into the water and haven't returned,” the Delhi Police said, adding that it was found that a group of four boys jumped over the wall and entered the under-construction golf course in the area of Dwarka Sector 23 police station.

The fourth boy, who did not enter the water pit, alerted the authorities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena about the status of flood-like situation in the capital immediately after arriving in Delhi. Read more

Several parts of Delhi are witnessing waterlogging and flooding following incessant rainfall and the release of water from the Hathni Kund barrage in Haryana.

People are seen grappling with the water logging. Commuters were witnessed pushing their motorcycles through the water.

Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department on Friday predicted that Delhi will likely receive light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms during the next 4-5 days.

The blame game between Delhi and Haryana governments continued over the floods in Delhi with Haryana Agriculture Minister Jai Parkash Dalal escalating the matter further claiming that illegal encroachments in the National Capital were responsible for the inundation, ANI reported.

“We don't have any dam, the water that comes, flows down to Delhi, Agra, Allahabad, and then go down the ocean. Aam Aadmi Party tries to evade its duties. The water flow increased earlier as well but, the Yamuna basin was broad earlier, now illegal possessions and constructions have been done alongside the Yamuna which led to its shrinking and high water level,” the minister said.

Amid waterlogging in the national capital due to the rise in Yamuna water level, heavy rain lashed several parts of Delhi-NCR on Saturday. SEE PHOTOS

Saturday's rain may lead to a rise in the water level in the Yamuna, which has been flowing above the danger mark of 205.33 metres for days.

According to the Central Water Commission, the water level in the river came down to 207.62 metres by 7 am on Saturday from its peak of 208.66 metres at 8 pm on Thursday.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday formed a two-member fact-finding committee to look into the jammed gates of the ITO barrage in Delhi. Read more

The move comes days after the AAP alleged that the gates of the barrage maintained by the Haryana government had jammed due to silt accumulation and said its maintenance should be handed over to the Delhi government for more efficient management.

Delhi Water Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday said the five jammed gates at the barrage were disrupting the flow of the Yamuna water.

After wreaking havoc on lives and livelihoods in parts of Delhi, the level of the swollen Yamuna on Saturday followed a downward trend, allowing authorities to open roads and ease traffic movement as floodwaters receded from many areas.

However, a blame-game erupted between the ruling AAP and the BJP which held each other responsible for the flood in the national capital.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the water level of the Yamuna is receding slowly and the situation will normalise soon if there is no more heavy rain, but added that threat of flood is not over yet.

Immediately after arriving in Delhi, PM Narendra Modi spoke to LG VK Saxena about the status of the flood-like situation in Delhi due to the increase in the water level of Yamuna River and the progress achieved in mitigation, reports ANI.

Although Yamuna's water level continues to flow above the danger mark, the water-level in the river has started receding in the national capital. The Delhi Metro trains have started running at normal speed and speed restriction imposed while crossing Metro bridges over Yamuna River have been removed.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) tweeted, "Speed restriction imposed while crossing Metro bridges over Yamuna has been removed. All trains are running at normal speed now."

Traffic movement is closed on Bhairon Marg due to waterlogging under Railway Bridge. Commuters are advised to avoid the stretch: Delhi Traffic Police

The minimum temperature settled at 27 degrees Celsius after fresh showers, says IMD.

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj told news agency ANI, “The administration is working on the ground level and trying their level best to tackle all the problems of the people affected due to flood. We are also providing the medical facilities to them and all necessary help is being given.”

The AAP on Saturday alleged that floods in Delhi are not a natural calamity but a crisis planned and executed by the BJP, with the saffron party accusing the ruling party of indulging in corruption and inaction.

Addressing a press conference Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj noted that despite the absence of even moderate rainfall in the city for the past six days, Delhi finds itself inundated and the Yamuna River has surged beyond its danger mark.

“Traffic is affected in the carriageway from Delhi Gate towards India Gate due to waterlogging under Tilak bridge. Kindly avoid the stretch”, tweets Delhi Traffic Police. 

Delhi Water Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Saturday wrote to Lt Governor V K Saxena expressing concern over the handling of the recent flooding in Delhi and accusing senior officials of deliberately ignoring the urgent calls and messages sent by ministers during the crisis.

Senior officials, including Divisional Commissioner Ashwani Kumar, expressed disappointment over elected representatives targeting officers who have been working "tirelessly" to bring the flood situation in the city under control.

With ministers and officials clashing over their response and decision-making during the crisis, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: "People of Delhi are suffering due to the ordinance."

The rain brought the mercury in the city down a notch to 34.6 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department said.

The minimum temperature had settled at 27 degrees Celsius.