Yamuna water level at all-time high, flooding near Kejriwal's residence
The water in the Yamuna River rose to an unprecedented level on Wednesday, crossing the 208m-mark and reached 208.46m on Thursday morning as Haryana released more water into the river. India Today reported that around 16,500 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas in Delhi, while The Hindu said nearly 40,000 people were displaced as many areas remain flooded.
Why does this story matter?
Delhi witnessed its highest rainfall in 41 years over the weekend. Following torrential rainfall in North and Northwest India, all major rivers in the region swelled up, prompting Haryana to discharge water into the Yamuna River. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police on Wednesday imposed prohibitory measures in flood-prone areas under Section 144 of the CrPC after the Delhi government issued a flood alert.
Ring Road in Civil Lines flooded
The Ring Road within the Civil Lines is currently inundated, leading to the closure of the section connecting Majnu Ka Tila and ISBT Kashmiri Gate. The area in question is merely 500m from the residence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Delhi Assembly.
Rescue teams failed to evacuate us: Residents
On Wednesday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai claimed that 2,700 tents were being set up and 27,000 people had registered for temporary shelter. The residents of Delhi's low-lying areas, however, claimed that rescue teams failed to evacuate them, Livemint reported. Many people sheltered in the Mayur Vihar relief camp also complained about the lack of basic facilities.
Delhi hasn't received any rain in past couple days
Over dozen schools closed in Civil Lines, Shahdara
Furthermore, around 10 schools in the Civil Lines Zone and seven in Shahdara were closed. Kejriwal also urged people to work from home. The Delhi government restricted the entry of heavy vehicles, while interstate buses will terminate at the Singhu border. The Central Water Commission (CWC) said the water level will reach its peak around 3-4:00 pm on Thursday and then start dropping.
Water level at Old Railway Bridge not recorded before 1978
While the warning level for the Yamuna River is reportedly at 204.5m, it reached 205.4m by Monday and rose to 206.76m on Tuesday. It touched 207.18m on Wednesday, which is very close to the river's highest level, recorded at 207.49m in 1978. Reportedly, there is no record of water levels at Delhi's Old Railway Bridge prior to 1978.
