New Delhi: IMD issued a flood alert in Delhi due to an increase in the Yamuna water level to a dangerous mark and is expected to cross the same in Delhi, if witnesses heavy rain tomorrow, as well as northern states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir.
Regarding the alert, CM Arvind Kejriwal held a meeting and discussed the torrential rains and the rising Yamuna water levels. He also addressed a press conference and said the government has closely monitored the situation and is ready to tackle it.
He said, “The unprecedented rain caused problems for people and Delhi’s system was not able to withstand it. Every year after rainfall, some vulnerable areas are waterlogged and the water is drained out in a couple of hours. But the 153 mm of rainfall was unprecedented and an event which happened in nearly 40 years.”
The Yamuna approached the danger level in Delhi on Monday as Haryana discharged extra water into the river from the Hathnikund barrage due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment districts.
The water level at the Old Railway Bridge rose from 203.18 metres at 1 p.m. on Sunday to 203.58 metres at 10 a.m. on Monday. The alert level is set at 204.5 metres.
The chief minister stated that they were in contact with the Central Water Commission and that weather forecasts indicate that while there will be more rain, it will not be as heavy.
He said, “Due to rains, there might have been some potholes that could have formed on roads. They will be filled with stones to avert any untoward incident. We have also ordered an inquiry into incidents of road cave-in. The area under New Delhi Municipal Council, which is a VVIP area, witnessed waterlogging. We have asked them (NDMC) to resolve the issues.”
