As the water level of river Yamuna in Delhi has exceeded the evacuation mark of 206 metres, the authorities have initiated the relocation drive of people residing in flood-prone areas to safer locations, officials said on Tuesday.
The river crossed the danger mark of 205.33 metres in Delhi on Monday evening, much earlier than anticipated.
According to the Central Water Commission's (CWC) flood-monitoring portal, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge rose to 206.28 metres by 6 am on Tuesday with Haryana releasing more water into the river from the Hathnikund barrage in Yamunanagar.
It is expected that the river will rise to 206.65 metres by Tuesday afternoon, before gradually subsiding.
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About the evacuation process
Addressing a press conference on Monday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said a flood-like situation is unlikely in Delhi, but the city government is prepared to tackle any eventuality.
He had said the evacuation of people from low-lying areas will start once the river breaches the 206-metre mark.
According to an official from East Delhi district, the evacuation process began on Monday night after floodwaters entered some areas.
"Only those living in the affected areas have been shifted to camps on higher grounds," he said.
Flood-like situation in Delhi
A flood warning was issued on Sunday by the Delhi government. Authorities have been instructed to stay vigilant and take necessary action in vulnerable areas. Quick response teams and boats have also been deployed.
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The Delhi government has set up 16 control rooms to monitor the flood-prone areas and the water level of the Yamuna.
According to the irrigation and flood control department, the flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage had shot up to the 3 lakh cusec mark on Monday.
Normally, the flow rate at the barrage is 352 cusecs, but heavy rainfall in the catchment areas increases the discharge.
One cusec is equivalent to 28.32 litres per second.
The water from the barrage takes around two to three days to reach Delhi.
On Sunday, July 9, Delhi witnessed its highest rainfall (153 mm) in a single day in July since 1982 in the 24-hour period.
The city received an additional 107 mm rainfall in the subsequent 24 hours, exacerbating the situation.
The heavy rain transformed roads into gushing streams, parks into watery labyrinths and marketplaces into submerged realms.
In light of the current situation, the Delhi government announced a closure of all schools on Monday and cancelled the Sunday leave of government officials, instructing them to be in the field.
