Delhi floods: Drinking water problem likely as treatment plants shut
Delhi may face a drinking water problem as the government shut down the water treatment plants in Chandrawal, Okhla, and Wazirabad on Thursday, prompted by the water from the Yamuna River flooding the city. This will reportedly affect 25% of the national capital's water supply. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the water treatment plants will be restarted as soon as the water level recedes.
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The water level in the Yamuna River at Delhi's Old Railway Bridge reached an all-time high of 208.5m on Wednesday as Haryana released more water into the river. Several areas in the city are inundated, and around 40,000 people have been displaced due to the flooding. The government is trying to rescue people from low-lying areas and accommodate them in temporary shelters.
Hope water supply resumes by tomorrow evening: Kejriwal
Kejriwal visited the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant earlier on Thursday. He said, "For the first time in Delhi, Yamuna has touched this level. Water has entered pumps and machines. The tube wells are also closed. There can be water scarcity for a day or two. I hope...the supply resumes by tomorrow evening." Meanwhile, the Central Water Commission (CWC) termed it an "extreme situation."
Kejriwal wrote to Amit Shah for intervention
On Wednesday, Kejriwal wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking his intervention in the release of water from Haryana's Hathnikund barrage to stop the flooding. Although Delhi received its highest rainfall in four decades over the weekend, it hasn't seen any downpour in the last few days. Haryana is also experiencing floods as all major rivers in the region have swollen up.
Area near CM's residence flooded
The CWC's flood-monitoring panel said the water level will reach its peak around 3-4:00pm on Thursday and then gradually go down. The Ring Road within the Civil Lines is reportedly flooded, leading to the closure of the section connecting Majnu Ka Tila and ISBT Kashmiri Gate. The area in question is merely 500m from Kejriwal's residence.
