Yamuna breaches danger mark again; another spell of floods anticipated in Delhi

Yamuna water level in Delhi breaches danger mark; over 2 lakh cusecs of water from Hathnikund Barrage. Relief and rehabilitation work in low-lying areas of capital at risk. Delhi govt. on high alert; ITO barrage gates to be opened. Citizens counting on swift response from authorities. Floods could impact water supply, 27,000 people evacuated. Losses in terms of property, businesses and earnings run into crores. Encroachment on floodplain, extreme rainfall and silt accumulation to blame.

The water level of the Yamuna in Delhi breached the danger mark again on Sunday following a surge in discharge from the Hathnikund Barrage into the river after heavy rain in parts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

Further increase in the water level of the river is expected to impact relief and rehabilitation work in the flood-affected low-lying areas of the capital, officials said.

Revenue Minister Atishi on Saturday said the Delhi Government is on high alert due to discharge of over 2 lakh cusecs of water from the Hathnikund Barrage into the river and that some parts of Yamuna Khadar (floodplains) might get inundated if the water level rises to 206.7 metres.

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The river water level had been hovering around the danger mark of 205.33 metres for the last few days after reaching an all-time high of 208.66 metres on July 13.

The Central Water Commission's (CWC) data showed the water level rose from 205.02 metres at 10 p.m. on Saturday to 205.96 metres at 9 a.m. on Sunday. It is expected to reach 206.7 metres by 4 p.m.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rain in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand till July 25.