Officials in Delhi are closely monitoring the water levels of the Yamuna River as a surge in discharge from the Hathnikund Barrage is expected to elevate the river's water level and potentially impact relief and rehabilitation efforts in the flood-affected areas of the capital. The discharge increased following heavy rain in parts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, prompting authorities to be on high alert for the risk of mid-scale floods in the city, which is still recovering from the devastating floods experienced in the second week of July.
The Central Water Commission's (CWC) data revealed that the water level of the Yamuna River has been hovering around the danger mark of 205.33 meters, but it dropped below the threshold on Saturday morning, measuring 205.16 meters at 4 pm on the same day. The India Meteorological Department's forecast of heavy to very heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand until July 25 has further raised concerns about the potential impact on Delhi,according to PTI.
Reports indicated that Uttarakhand experienced significant rainfall, with places like Haripur and Haldwani reporting very heavy rainfall, while Himachal Pradesh, including Renuka/Dadhau and Nahan, recorded heavy to very heavy rainfall within a 24-hour period.
The Hathnikund Barrage located in Yamunanagar witnessed a discharge of over 2 lakh cusecs, and it is anticipated that this substantial volume of water will reach Delhi within 36 hours, potentially leading to the Yamuna River reclaiming most of its floodplain in the capital. Experts emphasized the importance of swift action from the authorities, particularly in the functioning of all gates at the ITO barrage and prompt repair of any breached sites and bunds.
The heavy rains in the upper catchment areas of the Yamuna River have also impacted rehabilitation efforts in the low-lying areas of Delhi, with affected families possibly having to stay in relief camps for an extended period. The water supply in the city could also be affected, given that a pump house at Wazirabad was inundated during the recent flooding, causing disruptions in water supply to the treatment plants.
The consequences of the floods have been severe, with thousands of people evacuated from their homes and significant property and business losses incurred. Experts attributed the unprecedented flooding to factors such as encroachment on the river floodplain, intense rainfall over a short duration, and silt accumulation, which has raised the riverbed.
