Yamuna river in Delhi has touched 207.55 metres, breaching its all time record of 207.49 metres, which it clocked in 1978, said government agencies on Wednesday.
As per the flood-monitoring portal of the Central Water Commission (CWC), at 4 am on Wednesday, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge exceeded the 207-metre mark, marking the first instance since 2013. Subsequently, by 8 am, it further increased to 207.25 metres.
VIDEO | The Yamuna river in Delhi swelled to the highest recorded level in 10 years today as it crossed the 207-metre mark. Delhi recorded a rapid increase in the Yamuna water level amid heavy rainfall over the last two days. pic.twitter.com/HC5pp4fs2c
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 12, 2023
According to an official from the irrigation and flood control department, the river is projected to reach 207.35 metres by 12 noon on Wednesday, with expectations of further rising.
Over the past three days, Delhi has witnessed a significant surge in the water level of the Yamuna River. Starting from 203.14 metres at 11 am on Sunday, it rapidly climbed to 205.4 metres by 5 pm on Monday, surpassing the danger mark of 205.33 metres a staggering 18 hours ahead of the anticipated time.
River Exceeds Evacuation Mark
On Monday night, the river surpassed the evacuation threshold of 206 metres, leading to the relocation of individuals living in flood-prone zones to safer areas. Additionally, the Old Railway Bridge was closed for both road and rail traffic.
Visuals from Yamuna flood plains in Delhi's Gandhi Nagar. People living in the area have been moved to safer places due to the rising level of water in the river. pic.twitter.com/MYfdu9KQnj— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 12, 2023
According to data from the Central Water Commission (CWC), the water level of 207.25 metres is the highest recorded since 2013, when it reached 207.32 metres.
An official clarified that the significant surge in water level was a result of ongoing rainfall in the upper catchment regions and saturated soil caused by heavy precipitation in Delhi and neighboring areas throughout the weekend.
People Shifted From Low-Lying Areas
The department has relocated people residing in low-lying areas to safer regions at higher elevations, ensuring their safety.
For awareness, evacuation, and rescue operations, a fleet of 45 boats has been deployed, and NGOs have been engaged to provide relief to the evacuated people.
To maintain water levels and prevent further escalation, the Old Railway Bridge has been closed to traffic, and all gates of the Okhla Barrage have been opened, allowing the excess water to be released.
The district magistrates, along with their respective sector committees, are on high alert and collaborating closely with the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Delhi Police, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, and other stakeholders to effectively address the flood situation.
#WATCH | Water level of river Yamuna continues to rise in Delhi. Visuals from Old Railway Bridge. Today at 8 am, water level of the river was recorded at 207.25 metres at the Bridge, inching closer to the highest flood level – 207.49 metres. The river is flowing above the… pic.twitter.com/e46LLHdeVe
— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2023
Yamuna Low-Lying Area Inhabited by Nearly 41,000 people
The low-lying areas near the river in Delhi, inhabited by around 41,000 people, are considered prone to flooding. Encroachments on the river floodplain have occurred over the years, despite the land belonging to the Delhi Development Authority, the revenue department and private individuals.
Breached Danger Mark Many Times
The Yamuna breached the danger mark twice in September last year, with the water level reaching 206.38 metres.
In 2019, the river witnessed a peak flow rate of 8.28 lakh cusecs on August 18-19 and the water level rose to 206.6 metres. In 2013, it reached a level of 207.32 metres. The river had swollen to an all-time record water level of 207.49 metres in 1978.
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