As Yamuna surges above danger mark, Kejriwal puts Delhi on high alert

The water level in River Yamuna is expected to cross the danger mark on Monday (August 19) evening and reach the national capital during the next two days with full force, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.

Stressing that the officials and the ministers were “monitoring the situation 24X7″, the Chief Minister said, “Water level (of Yamuna river) is expected to cross the danger mark, today evening. Water can reach here during the next two days with full force.”

The Yamuna was flowing at 204.7 metres on Monday and its water level is expected to rise up to 207 metres as 8.28 lakh cusecs water was released from Haryanas Hathini Kund barrage at 6 pm on Sunday, an official had earlier said.

Thereafter, Kejriwal had called a meeting of all departments concerned on Monday afternoon to assess the situation and review arrangements made to deal with the situation.

The Delhi government on Sunday sounded a flood alert for the city and asked people living in low-lying areas to move to safer places as the water level in the Yamuna river is expected to cross the danger mark. “Water level is rising due to heavy rains as well as release of water from Hathini Kund Barrage and water level of Yamuna may rise up to 207 metres by 10 am tomorrow, putting at risk to public life and property,” the East Delhi district had said in its order.

It had directed all sub-divisional magistrates to evacuate people from low-lying areas with the help of Delhi Police and civil defence volunteers by 9 am on Monday. Haryana released several lakh cusecs of water in intervals on Sunday. At 5 pm, 8.14 lakh cusecs water was released from the barrage, he had said.