Yamuna flows above danger mark, people evacuated

NEW DELHI - People were evacuated from low-lying areas along the Yamuna in the capital Sunday as the river continued to flow above the danger mark, an official said.

The water level of the Yamuna stood 22 cm above the danger level at 205.05 metres Sunday, after the release of water from the Hathnikund barrage upstream in Haryana as continuous rains lashed the city Saturday.

“About 34,600 cusecs of water was released into the Yamuna from the Hathnikund barrage after heavy rainfall in the catchment area by 8 a.m. today (Sunday). Due to this the water level has risen in the Yamuna,” V.P.S. Tomer, chief engineer, irrigation and flood control department, told IANS.

The river crossed the danger level of 204.8 metres late Friday night.

The authorities have taken all precautions to tackle the situation, he said.

“The city government is fully geared up to meet any situation of flood due to increase in water level in Yamuna. About 150 technical staff are monitoring the level of the Yamuna,” he added.

A control room has been set up to monitor the situation round-the-clock.

Besides, about 63 boats along with divers and a team of the disaster management force have been deployed near the banks of the river, he added.