Section 144 imposed in Delhi’s flood-prone areas

As the water level of the Yamuna river rose in Delhi, surpassing its previous record set in 1978, the Delhi Police implemented measures to restrict activities in flood-prone areas of the city, invoking section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

Section 144 of the CrPC prohibits unlawful assembly of four or more people and restricts public movement in groups.

In response to the flood situation, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority issued an advisory urging people to relocate to safer areas and cautioned against traversing low-lying regions. They also advised the public to refrain from approaching power lines and provided the helpline number 1077 for assistance.

To assess the flood situation and evaluate the preventive actions taken, Atishi, a Delhi Cabinet Minister, is visiting relief camps. She mentioned that the Delhi government is reinforcing river embankments and evacuating individuals from floodplains.

According to officials, Garhi Mandu village near the Signature Bridge in Wazirabad has been submerged. Most of the residents have been safely evacuated, while the remaining individuals are being rescued using boats.

The Central Water Commission’s flood-monitoring portal reported that the water level of the Yamuna river at the Old Railway Bridge surpassed the 207-meter mark at 4 am on Wednesday, the first time since 2013. Subsequently, it rose to 207.55 meters by 1 pm. An official from the irrigation and flood control department stated that the water level is expected to rise further.

(With PTI inputs)