Delhi: Yamuna at 205.72 metre, breaches danger mark again

The water level of river Yamuna was recorded at 205.72 metre, flowing 89 cm above danger level at 5 pm on Wednesday evening.

Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash on Tuesday held an emergency meeting with top officials of departments concerned and directed them to be "proactive" in taking measures for evacuation and providing relief to the people living in the low-lying areas, an official said. Prakash had directed that all the staff in the field should be on duty despite August 15 being a national holiday.

According to the East Delhi district administration, the water level of the Yamuna river reached 205.08 metres on Tuesday, while its danger mark is 204.83 metres. The official said as Haryana has released nearly 1.74 lakh cusecs water from Hathinikund barrage, Yamuna's water level is expected to rise further in the next one or two days.

In July, the water level of the Yamuna river had crossed the danger mark, prompting authorities to evacuate people living in the low-lying areas. "The chief secretary has directed officials to repeat the same exercise and necessary precautionary which they had taken during the period of July 28 to 31," the official said.

Prakash also issued directions to ensure that tentage and food are available at all the locations for the displaced persons from Wednesday.

Earlier, amid the crisis, union minister Harsh Vardhan hit out at Kejriwal, alleging that there was no advance planning to rehabilitate people affected by rising water level in the river and that they were at the "mercy of an insensitive" dispensation.

He also attacked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for failing to keep its election promise to install CCTV cameras in the city, a day after Kejriwal tore apart a report of a panel set up by lieutenant governor (L-G) Anil Baijal on installation and monitoring of surveillance cameras.

"People along the #Yamuna in Delhi are at the mercy of an insensitive government. As the river is rising above danger mark due to incessant rains, no advance planning in place, not enough shelter for people caught up in flood waters. @BJP4Delhi, @BJP4India," said Vardhan in a tweet.

RESCUED

• Four people were safely rescued after they were stranded in the Yamuna river in north Delhi. Two women and as many men who were stranded. Four buffaloes were also stuck in the river near the Shamshan Ghat in Burari.