CM directs minister to make arrangements for displaced
NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday directed Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot to make proper arrangements for people living on roads after water from the swollen Yamuna entered their houses. Several people living on the banks of the river were evacuated after the water level in the Yamuna breached the danger mark on Saturday. "Directed Kailash Gehlot, Minister-in-charge, to visit the area along with all officers and ensure proper arrangements," Kejriwal said in a tweet.
The chief minister's direction came following reports that there were no proper arrangements for shelter for these people. The water level in the Yamuna may rise to 206 meters with the danger mark being 204.83 meters, officials said.
The traffic movement on the Old Yamuna Bridge in Delhi was closed on Sunday after the water level in the river rose due to rains. On Sunday evening, the river was flowing at 205.5 meters. The Yamuna's water level at the Hathini Kund barrage had crossed the danger mark of 90,000 cusecs and till 7 pm on Saturday, 5,63,186 cusec of water was released, according to an official.
On Saturday, an alert was sounded by the Delhi government after the water level of the Yamuna river crossed the danger mark. The highest water level recorded at Old Yamuna Bridge was 207.49 meters in 1978. It was 207.11 meters in 2010 and 207.32 in 2013, according to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority.
Meanwhile, discharge from the Hathani Kund Barrage at 1 pm was 31,342 cusecs. The water level at Delhi Railway Bridge and Palla Barrage was 205.7 and 211.42 meters respectively, officials said, adding the danger mark is 204.83 metres. The water level in the river had reached 205.30 meters at 7 pm on Saturday, prompting authorities to evacuate people from the low-lying areas.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday took stock of the ongoing evacuation operation in the low-lying areas of the city, including Akshardham and Pandav Nagar, and appealed to the people to move to safer areas. After reports emerged that many people were forced to live on roads after their houses were inundated, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal directed Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot to make proper arrangements.
The city government on Sunday set up a flood control room and a round-the-clock emergency operation center to monitor the flood situation, they said. The highest water level recorded at Old Yamuna Bridge was 207.49 meters in 1978. It was 207.11 meters in 2010 and 207.32 meters in 2013, according to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority.
