Delhi issues flood warning, rescue boats on standby

The Delhi government issued its 'first' flood warning after Haryana released around 1.3 lakh cusecs of water in the Yamuna on Thursday morning, even as the water level in the river in Delhi is flowing near the danger level. Rescue boats have been kept on standby and officers of the irrigation and flood control department have been directed to keep a vigil on low-lying areas. With at least 10 embankments along the river, the released water is unlikely to flood the main city but people living on the riverbed are vulnerable. “At least 15,000-20,000 families live in slums on the floodplain. If the water level increases, people in low-lying areas in north Delhi may have to be asked to move to higher grounds,” said an official from the flood control and irrigation department.