The Yamuna River flows above the danger mark as it breached the 45-year-old record. The water level of the Yamuna at the Old Iron Bridge was reported 207.55 metres at 1 pm, as it crossed the highest-ever flood level of 207.49 metres on Wednesday.
The water level was recorded 207.55 metres near the Old Iron Bridge in Delhi, and it is increasing continuously. Haryana released water into the river from the Hathnikund barrage. The Yamuna River breached the danger mark of 205.33 metres on Monday evening, and it reached 207.55 (reported) on Wednesday.
According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), the water level at the Old Railway Bridge crossed the 207-metre mark at 4 am and rose to 207.25 metres by 8 am on Wednesday. As per the CWC, the water of the Yamuna is likely to rise again between 10 pm to 12 am tonight.
Saurabh Bharadwaj, minister of the Delhi government, claimed that the authorities are working round the clock and constructing artificial barriers to prevent the breach of water from the Yamuna. He added that many pumps have been installed to control the flow of water, the evacuation process is almost complete, and people have been shifted to safe tents.
PWD Minister Atishi Singh said that the Delhi government is fully prepared to tackle any situation. We are regularly conducting evacuations near the Yamuna River. Several embankments have been installed to prevent the breach of water. We are monitoring the situation continuously.
In the meantime, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has urged the Centre to intervene and ensure that levels in the Yamuna don’t rise further. He also wrote a letter to the Union Home Minister on the recent flood situation. The Central Water Commission has predicted that the level of the Yamuna may rise up to 207.72 meters tonight. There have been no rains in Delhi for the last 2 days, however, levels of the Yamuna are rising due to abnormally high volumes of water being released by Haryana at Hathnikund barrage.
On the other hand, people from low-lying areas in the city are battling for their survival. People are claiming that the government fails to deliver on its promises.
We talked to Sandeep, a resident of Yamuna Bazaar. He told us that we have to go through the same situation every year.
No government has done anything to resolve the problems of low-lying areas.
Mansi, another resident, said that our family has been living here for many years. We have seen many governments, but none of them have worked for the people of flood-prone areas. Every year, water reaches our houses and affects our lives. Despite all this, the government only makes fake promises just to win the election.