48 hours on, Yamuna still flows above danger level

HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times
Email Author
New Delhi, August 22, 2010

First Published: 01:37 IST(22/8/2010)
Last Updated: 01:38 IST(22/8/2010)

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The water level in the Yamuna river continued above the danger mark on Saturday as well, after crossing the mark on Friday. The level reached 205.05 metres on Saturday afternoon, 22 centimetres above the danger level, as authorities set up 10 camps in low lying areas to provide shelter to those affected. 

Mobile medical teams and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) tankers were deployed at the camps.

"The situation is under control. We are expecting the water level to remain constant today. It will start receding tomorrow afternoon," said Ish Kumar, chief engineer, irrigation and flood control department.

The river crossed the danger level of 204.8 metres on Friday night.

The water level started rising after the release of water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana, even as heavy rainfall continued to lash the city for the last three days.

"The water level in the Yamuna is rising since Friday, prompting the flood control room to sound an alert," said an official at the flood control department. The department has set up flood control rooms at 25 places along the danger area, the official added.

People in low-lying areas in Usmanpur, Shastri Park, Bhajanpura, Yamuna Bazar and Gandhi Nagar have been warned about rising levels.

The Delhi Government has deployed a unit of the disaster management force, along with 63 boats and divers, to tackle any eventuality. The teams are currently camping near ISBT.