‘On alert 24X7’, says Kejriwal as Yamuna surges; people move to safer areas

With the water level in the Yamuna racing towards the danger mark on Monday, Delhi Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is taking stock of the preparedness of government departments and the relief measures that are being undertaken.

“Water level (of Yamuna river) is expected to cross the danger mark, today evening. Water can reach here during the next two days with full force, all our officers and ministers are monitoring the situation 24x7,” the chief minister said at the meeting.

The chief minister said that the next two days are critical as the water released by Haryana will reach Delhi.

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Rains have played havoc in several north Indian states with 30 people losing their lives to floods, landslides and cloudbursts. The hill states of Himachal Pradesh, with 23 deaths, and Uttarakhand, with 7 deaths, have borne the brunt of the rain fury. Three people have died in Punjab.

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Earlier experiences show that more than 10,000 people need to be evacuated when water level crosses the danger mark during monsoons. The administration has already started evacuating people, putting up tents and rescue teams and boats are on standby. Medicines, food and water are also being kept ready

Read more: Rain and flood leave trail of destruction across four states, dozens dead

“Water is being released from the Hathni Kund Barrage in Haryana. The water discharged from Hathni Kund Barrage normally takes 72 hours to reach the capital” said an official of the irrigation and flood control department.

The Yamuna’s water level at 10 am today was 204.8m. Officials apprehend that the level could soon cross the danger mark of 205.3m. In 2018 it went up to 206.05m. The highest water level recorded was in 1978 when it reached 207.4 m.

“People are usually evacuated when the water level rises beyond the danger mark during monsoons. Focus is on six districts along the Yamuna,” said an SDM of one of the districts.