Flooding to be confined to floodplains Delhi CM after rise in Yamuna level

New Delhi, Aug 18 (PTI) Following the Yamuna river breaching the danger mark, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday assured that the national capital will not experience widespread flooding, and that it is in a safe zone. 
    The chief minister further asserted that any inundation will be restricted to the floodplains. 
    The Yamuna in Delhi crossed the danger level, reaching the mark of 205.36 metres at 2 pm on Monday at the Old Railway Bridge, officials informed.
    Gupta, accompanied by water minister Parvesh Sahib Singh, reviewed flood management at the Yamuna river and adjoining areas in the national capital. Her inspection began from the Asita Ghat and continued to the Yamuna Chhath Ghat, DM East Office, Regulator No. 12, and the control room.
    All departments are working around the clock in vigilance, and the situation is fully under control, the chief minister noted, further informing that 14 boats have been deployed at key locations for relief and rescue operations.
    In view of the water being released from the Hathinikund Barrage and heavy rainfall in the upper Yamuna region, the Central Water Commission has issued an advisory that the water level of the Yamuna in Delhi may rise up to 206 metres, Gupta mentioned.
    She informed that currently, over one lakh cusecs of water is being released into the Yamuna, which is flowing ahead smoothly without obstruction and at the same pace – unlike before when such conditions led to waterlogging. 
    She stated that the government has closely monitored all aspects related to the Yamuna’s water levels, and that departmental teams are constantly monitoring the flow, discharge, and water level status.
    Delhi battled one of its worst flood-like situations in 2023, with several areas inundated due to heavy rain, and over 25,000 people were evacuated.  
    "At that time, the desilting of drains and maintenance of barrages were not properly done, and even the ITO Barrage gates were blocked and jammed. But this time, after six months of continuous work, all gates of the ITO Barrage have been fully opened and the desilting of drains has been completed, thereby enhancing their capacity. The government has made full preparations at every level," she asserted. 
    The Delhi government placed its flood preparedness into action mode well before the onset of the monsoon. Nodal officers have been appointed in key waterlogging-prone areas, and departments like PWD, Irrigation and Flood Control, and the MCD have accelerated the cleaning of drains, the chief minister informed. 
    With pump houses having been inspected and mobile pumps deployed, Gupta emphasised that even if minor problems arise, they will remain confined to floodplain areas, where the water entry is natural.
    "Residents of such areas have already been alerted by the administration and necessary arrangements have been made to shift them to safer places," she said. 
    Additionally, to ensure that the Yamuna water does not reach main roads and traffic movement remains unaffected, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department has been instructed to take all necessary steps. Gupta has also directed that all regulators be kept fully operational.
    The chief minister further informed that a Central Flood Control Room has been set up at the office of the East district magistrate. This centre is now functioning as a central coordination hub for the entire city, with representatives from all civic agencies stationed there 24x7.
    She added that, along with this room, 15 wireless stations have been established this year to monitor Yamuna water levels and waterlogging-prone areas at all times.
    All equipment to be used in relief and rescue operations has been fully checked, and concerned departments have made concrete arrangements to safely relocate people from the Yamuna floodplains in case of a flood situation, she said.
    In 2023, the river reached an all-time high of 208.66 metres, surpassing the previous all-time record of 207.49 metres set in September 1978 by a significant margin.
    The river breached embankments and penetrated deeper into the city than it had in over four decades at that time.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)