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Delhi faces flood threat as Yamuna swells up

Last updated on: August 25, 2010 13:44 IST
A Metro train moves over a bridge built over the river Yamuna that is over-flowing in New Delhi on Tuesday

Around 200 people were on Wednesday evacuated from the banks of Yamuna in the capital as the water level in the river touched 205.70 metres.

With this, a total of 1,500 people have been shifted to around 160 relief camps set up by the city government to provide shelter to people living along the banks of the river.

The river had crossed the danger level of 204.83 metres on Friday evening following rains and since then it has been flowing above it.

Heavy rains continued in the capital till noon on Tuesday, making it the fifth consecutive day of heavy rainfall. Several low-lying residential areas along the Yamuna riverbank were flooded

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Additional Inputs: PTI

Delhi faces flood threat as Yamuna swells up

Last updated on: August 25, 2010 13:44 IST
A local resident carries belongings with his buffalo through a flooded road in New Delhi on Tuesday

People have been evacuated from residential areas in east Delhi like Usmanpur, Yamuna Bazar, Bhajanpura and Shastri Park. Fields along the river are submerged under water.

"On Monday noon, water level had risen to 205.23 meters and on Tuesday, it was recorded at 205.55 meters. The water level in Yamuna touched 205.64 meters on Tuesday evening," V P S Tomar, engineer-in-chief, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, told rediff.com.

The danger mark of 204.8 meters had been breached on Friday night.

Delhi faces flood threat as Yamuna swells up

Last updated on: August 25, 2010 13:44 IST
A cycle rickshaw puller is silhouetted against the backdrop of monsoon clouds in New Delhi on Tuesday

The water level in Yamuna has also risen due to release of over four lakh cusecs of water by Haryana into the river in the last two days.

"Five days of heavy rainfall and 34,600 cusecs of water released from Hathnikund barrage upstream in Haryana on Monday is responsible for Yamuna to swell up like this," a senior official with the Irrigation and Flood Control department said.

Delhi flood and irrigation minister, Raj Kumar Chauhan, said that the situation is being monitored closely.

"The water level is expected to rise even further. However, there is no cause to worry. We have already started the evacuation process in low-lying areas, which are the only areas most likely to be affected by the flood. We are fully geared to meet any situation. Further evacuation will take place if needed," Chauhan said.

Delhi faces flood threat as Yamuna swells up

Last updated on: August 25, 2010 13:44 IST
Local residents travel on a buffalo cart through a flooded road in New Delhi on Tuesday

A flood control room has been set up to monitor the situation round-the-clock.

Relief and rehabilitation camps have been set up in east Delhi areas of Usmanpur, Garhimandu, Badarpur Khadar, ISBT bridge, Shakarpur, Akshardham temple, old Yamuna Bridge, Geeta Colony and Okhla.

No casualties have been reported so far. However, several fields and shanties along the riverbank were destroyed.

Over 50 boats, 68 divers and a unit of Disaster Management force have been deployed to meet any eventuality.

Mobile medical teams and water tanks have also been pressed into service to help the affected people.