On Thursday, the Delhi government’s irrigation and flood control department issued the first flood warning for the national capital after more than 300,000 cusecs of water was released into the Yamuna. The water was released from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana’s Yamuna Nagar.
While the water usually takes around three days to reach Delhi, the benchmark for assessing the flood situation at Old Railway bridge is 204.29 metres at resent. The danger mark is 205.33m.b The river had crossed the danger mark of 205.33 meters on July 30 last year.
A senior official, who refused to be named, told Hindustan Times, “A total of 134,912 cusecs of water was released into the river at 7 am while another 182,295 cusecs of water was released at 8 am on 11 August. The vigilance is increased when more than 1 lakh cusecs water is released in one go.”
Sector officers across the capital have been instructed to stay alert and take necessary action on vulnerable points. These sector officers and district administration will be making announcements and appointing quick reaction teams to warn those staying near the Yamuna embankments.
The water-logging situation worsens in the city after the water levels reach the danger mark, and Delhi’s topography does not allow gravity-based flow to larger drains that carry the excess water to the river.
As a precautionary measure, 24 boats, with two divers each, have been deployed in the Yamuna. A total of 24 boats with 48 divers will be staying alert near the vulnerable locations, an official said. He added, “We have also kept 17 motor boats on reserve. Announcements on loudspeakers — to make the residents and farmers living along the Yamuna aware about the situation — have been initiated and people are being advised to remain cautious.”
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