Several parts of Delhi remained flooded on Friday due to overflowing water from the Yamuna river. At many places, water gushed into homes as well as commercial establishments and roads were inundated.
At 10 am on Friday, the Yamuna water level decreased to 208.38 metres, but stayed above the danger mark of 205.33 metres, ANI reported. On Thursday evening, it had reached a record level of 208.66 metres, over a metre above the previous record of 207.49 metres registered in 1978.
Many areas in Delhi, including Rajghat as well as Mathura Road and Bhagwan Das road near the Supreme Court, remained submerged.
Videos on social media showed the road around the city’s historical Red Fort under water. The monument was closed for the public on Thursday and the order remains in force on Friday.
The city’s busy ITO intersection was also flooded after a drain regulator was damaged amid the rising Yamuna water. Some people were seen dragging their vehicles along the ITO road. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will visit the spot at 11 am, NDTV reported.
Kejriwal on Friday morning directed the chief secretary to take urgent action to fix the breach and seek help from the Army or National Disaster Response Force.
On account of flooding in the area, the traffic police stopped the movement of vehicles on the Mahatma Gandhi Marg from Sarai Kale Khan towards the IP Flyover.
Other areas from where flooding was reported included Vishwakarma Colony, Yamuna Bazar, ISBT bus terminus, Kashmere Gate, Shankaracharya Road, Majnu Ka Tila, Batla House, Kirari and Kingsway Camp.
Many buses and trucks were stranded due to the ban on the entry of heavy goods vehicles engaged in non-essential services. The Sarai Kale Khan area witnessed heavy traffic congestion as vehicles were diverted due to waterlogging.
The authorities in Delhi have evacuated 23,692 persons from areas along the Yamuna river amid flooding in several parts of the national capital, ANI reported. The Delhi government said that 21,092 persons are currently staying in tents and shelters. On Thursday, 12 teams of the National Disaster Response Force rescued 1,022 persons.
The national capital is facing a drinking water shortage after the Delhi government ordered a 25% water supply cut. This was after three water treatment plants – Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla – were shut because of the rising level of the Yamuna.
Kejriwal urged citizens in flood-hit areas not to leave their homes unless necessary. He said that all non-essential government officials are working from home, and private offices have also been advised to allow employees to work from home.
On Thursday, Delhi Water Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that “uncontrolled volumes of water” was being released into the Yamuna from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana’s Yamunanagar, which was causing the flooding. He urged the Centre to intervene in the matter.
The barrage has filled up due to very heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh, where there has been large-scale damage to life and property.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert in Delhi on Saturday. A yellow alert signifies that the authorities need to keep a watch on the evolving situation.
The national capital had received a heavy downpour from July 8 to July 11 but rainfall has decreased since then.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!