Delhi flood: Kejriwal tells people in low-lying areas to evacuate
Amid a flood scare in Delhi with the Yamuna River water level breaching the danger mark, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked the people in low-lying areas to evacuate on Wednesday. Around 37,000 people reportedly reside in the city's low-lying areas near the river. The water level breached the danger mark on Monday evening, hitting 205.4m, then increased to 206.76m on Tuesday evening.
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On Monday, Kejriwal stated that the evacuation of people in Delhi's low-lying areas will start once the river breaches the 206m mark. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Yamuna River had broken the all-time record of 207.49m set in 1978 and was running at 207.55m. Reportedly, the water level rose faster than usual after Haryana discharged over one lakh cusecs of water into the river.
People in low-lying areas, vacate homes: Kejriwal
Kejriwal calls emergency meeting after Yamuna breaches danger mark
Kejriwal's plea came after he convened an emergency meeting with senior staff from all departments concerned. Earlier, he also wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the rising water level in the Yamuna, requesting his intervention in the release of water from the Hathinikund barrage in Haryana. He said that the water level is rising due to the release of water, not rain.
Delhi Police restricts public movement
Following the critical situation, the Delhi Police has limited public movement and gatherings in flood-prone areas. Section 144 was also imposed as precautionary measure. In addition, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority has issued an advisory, asking people to relocate to safer areas and avoid low-lying areas. Meanwhile, Revenue Minister Atishi Marlena said the Delhi government is strengthening river embankments and evacuating residents from floodplains.
Overflowing Yamuna River water reaches key road in North Delhi
In North Delhi, overflowing water from the Yamuna River swamped a key road, severely disrupting traffic movement. The Delhi Transport Corporation's (DTC) headquarter was also inundated, forcing employees to wade through a waterlogged entrance to get into the office on Wednesday. Videos from the DTC headquarters in Indraprastha showed people folding their pants and clutching shoes in their hands as they entered the building.
