Yamuna continues to rise, causing damage to low-lying areas

NEW DELHI - The River Yamuna continues to swell rapidly, submerging more localities with the water level reaching nearly two metres above the danger mark.

Areas like Garhi Mandu, Usmanpur Pusta, Jagatpur Village and Shastri Nagar were said to be flooded when reports last came in.

Thousands of people have been compelled to take shelter in government relief camps after areas near ISBT were flooded.

“The water level touched 206.78 metres at around 7 p.m. on Saturday, 1.95 metre above the danger mark of 204.83 metre. We are expecting the level to stabilise now,” said Flood Control Department official.

People living in East Delhi and other areas along the bank of the river remained apprehensive that the areas may be further inundated by the floods, as the 64,000 cusecs of water released by Haryana are expected to reach the city on Sunday.

The Haryana Government said on Saturday that the discharge of water into the Yamuna river from the barrage has dropped sharply to 36,034 cusecs.

Officials said an embankment breach in Panipat has resulted in a diversion of water flows to Delhi.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Flood Control Minister Raj Kumar Chouhan visited several flood-affected areas and inspected ongoing relief and rescue operations.

She ordered the concerned agencies to ensure proper supply of food, medicines, and drinking water to the people living in relief camps.

She also asked people not to panic and said every possible measure is being taken by the authorities to provide prompt relief.

The floodwaters have also entered Yamuna Vihar, Usmanpur, Madanpur, Sonia Vihar, Nigambodh, Jaitpur, Tibet Market and Yamuna Bazar.

Seventy-four boats and 68 divers have been pressed into service for relief and rescue operations.

The water level has gone up on three sides of the Commonwealth Games village, although it has not entered the complex.

Over 100 personnel from National Disaster Response Force have been deployed to assist the local authorities.

Nearly, 25 trains were cancelled and 36 trains were diverted by Northern Railways.

The trains diverted include the Kalka Mail, Shaheed Express, Garib Nawaz Express, Awadh Assam Express, Shalimar Express and the Brahmaputra Mail.

As many as 39 trains, including the Satygraha Express, Lal Quila Express, Farakka and Howrah Janata Express have been short terminated, according to a Northern Railways spokesperson. (ANI)