NEW DELHI: The water level in the Yamuna river rose to 208.46 meters Thursday morning, surpassing the danger mark by three meters. The rise in water level is due to the release of water from the Hathnikund barrage.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urgently appealed for measures to prevent the water flow from the Hathnikund barrage. However, the central government has made it clear that the release of surplus water from the dam is necessary. The barrage has reached its maximum capacity due to incessant rainfall in Himachal Pradesh. The Inner State Bus Terminal (ISBT) road, connecting Majnu Ka Tila to Kashmiri Gate has been closed due to waterlogging on the ring road in the Civil Lines area. Three water treatment plants situated near the Yamuna River have been forced to shut down due to the rising water level. This disruption in water treatment could potentially affect the capital's drinking water supply.
#WATCH | Civil Lines area of Delhi flooded, latest visuals from the area.
— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023
Several areas of the city are reeling under flood and water-logging as the water level of river Yamuna continues to rise following heavy rainfall and the release of water from Hathnikund Barrage. pic.twitter.com/UecZsfIBwb
Both government and private sector schools have declared a holiday today, acknowledging the waterlogging and subsequent difficulties faced by the city's residents. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged people residing in high-risk areas to evacuate to camps for their safety.
‘The important thing now is to save lives. I request everyone to help each other in this emergency situation’, Kejriwal tweeted. The Central Water Commission has announced that water flow from the Haryana barrage is expected to decrease from 2 pm today, providing a glimmer of hope. To aid in rescue operations, twelve teams from the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed to the affected areas.
VIDEO | Water from overflowing Yamuna inundates Nigam Bodh Ghat road in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/4uKFqTCVR3
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 13, 2023