Delhiites in low-lying areas sigh with relief as Yamuna retreats

| | NEW DELHI
  • 0

Delhiites in low-lying areas sigh with relief as Yamuna retreats

Thursday, 22 August 2019 | Staff Reporter | NEW DELHI

Delhiites in low-lying areas sigh with relief as Yamuna retreats

Hundreds of residents of the low-lying areas, who were temporarily shifted to makeshift tents after water entered their houses, can now breathe easily again as the water level of the Yamuna River started receding on Wednesday.

However, the river continues to flow at 206.50 metres above the danger mark of 205.33 metres on Wednesday. Officials said it is expected to go below the danger mark by early Thursday.

Northern Railway spokesperson said rail traffic over the old Yamuna bridge (Lohe ka Pul) which was temporarily suspended on Tuesday night was restored at 4.25 pm on Wednesday with speed restriction of 20 kmph.

The Yamuna had breached the danger mark on Monday.

“The water level is likely to recede further as Haryana has so far not released water from the Hathni Kund barrage in large quantity,” a Government official said. At 4 pm, only 10,000 cusec water was released from the barrage.

Officials said around 23,000 affected people were evacuated from the flood-plains to safer places. Over 18,000 of them were accommodated in more than 2,700 relief tents set up by the Delhi Government agencies.

Some tents remained vacant as many residents at the Yamuna Khadar didn’t vacate their shanties.

Earlier on Wednesday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met people affected by the flood and said the Government will ensure that there is no shortage of relief materials.

“Met the flood affected people at the Yamuna bank. Most people have left their belongings in their houses but its good thing that there is no loss of life. Arrangements of tents, food, water and medicine have been made. Let us know if there is any shortage, we will immediately do the needful,” Kejriwal tweeted.

The river flows through six districts of Delhi whose low-lying areas are prone to flooding. The administration has deployed 30 boats to prevent accidental drowning. In 1978, the water in the river rose to its highest-ever level of 207.49 metres, causing a devastating flood in the national Capital.

 

Sunday Edition

CAA PASSPORT TO FREEDOM

24 March 2024 | Kumar Chellappan | Agenda

CHENNAI EXPRESS IN GURUGRAM

24 March 2024 | Pawan Soni | Agenda

The Way of Bengal

24 March 2024 | Shobori Ganguli | Agenda

The Pizza Philosopher

24 March 2024 | Shobori Ganguli | Agenda

Astroturf | Lord Shiva calls for all-inclusiveness

24 March 2024 | Bharat Bhushan Padmadeo | Agenda

Interconnected narrative l Forest conservation l Agriculture l Food security

24 March 2024 | BKP Sinha/ Arvind K jha | Agenda