Kejriwal directs Gahlot to make proper arrangements for people who have been evacuated from low-lying areas and are living on streets
A day after several people were evacuated after water levels in the Yamuna breached the danger mark, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal directed Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot to make proper arrangements for people living on the roads, on Monday.
"Directed Kailash Gehlot ji, Minister-in-charge, to visit the area alongwith all officers and ensure proper arrangements (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted. The Chief Minister's direction came after reports surfaced that the evacuated were forced to live on the road in absence of proper shelter for these people.
The river was flowing at 205.78 metres this evening with the danger mark being 204.83 metres, officials said. Even as officials said the peak water level is expected to reach 206.50 metres, a political blame game started over lack of proper rehabilitation of people who were left on streets after water entered their houses. Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot visited the affected areas and directed officials to ensure proper arrangements were made.
The Old Yamuna Bridge was closed for traffic on Sunday after the water level in the river rose because of the rains. Heavy traffic was witnessed on the Geeta Colony and ITO flyovers because of the closure of the bridge. Officials said that water level continued to rise and stayed over danger mark for the third day on Monday.
"As water level in the Yamuna breached the danger mark, Shahdara district magistrate issued orders for the closure of Old Yamuna Bridge. Accordingly, we have diverted the traffic towards Geeta Colony flyover and ITO. Passengers are advised to plan their journey keeping in mind the extra time they would require to reach their destination," Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Alok Kumar said.
Meanwhile, discharge from the Hathani Kund Barrage between 6 am to 9 pm was 5,13,554 cusecs, with water level expected to rise further. The water level at the Delhi Railway Bridge and Palla Barrage was 205.7 and 211.42 metres, respectively, officials said, adding the danger mark is 204.83 metres. The Yamuna was flowing at 205.5 metres on Sunday.
On Saturday, the Delhi government issued an alert after the water level of the Yamuna river crossed the danger mark. The highest water level recorded at Old Yamuna Bridge was 207.49 metres in 1978. It was 207.11 metres in 2010 and 207.32 in 2013, according to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday took stock of the ongoing evacuation operation in the low-lying areas of the city, including Akshardham and Pandav Nagar, and appealed to the people to move to safer areas.
TELLING NUMBERS
5,13,554 cusecs: Discharge from Hathani Kund Barrage between 6 am to 9 pm
205.78m: Water level on Monday evening
206.50m: Expected water level
204.83 m: Danger mark
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