Threat of floods in certain areas of east Delhi loomed large as water level in the Yamuna rose today following release of over six lakh cusecs of water into the river by Haryana, prompting Delhi government to take precautionary measures.
Fearing a flood-like situation, the city government appealed to people living in low-lying areas to move to safer places and directed concerned agencies to put up tents as well as coordinate their efforts in combating any eventualities.
The Delhi Revenue and Flood Control Minister, Mr A.K. Walia, after a meeting with senior officials of various agencies, said a total of 6.22 lakh cusecs of water was released from Hathini Kund barrage in Haryana into the Yamuna, which is likely to take 40 hours to reach Delhi.
He said water level in Yamuna has touched 203.64 metres and it may cross the danger level of 204.83 metres soon.
In the meeting, Mr Walia took stock of the situation and directed the divisional commissioner, deputy commissioners and officials of the Irrigation and Flood Control department to closely monitor the situation and asked them to evacuate people from low lying areas.
He said control rooms have been activated in several areas and government has made all the arrangements and is ready with men and material to address any eventuality of any kind of breach.
Alert in Punjab
Meanwhile, authorities in Punjab have cautioned against the possibility of flood in view of forecast of heavy rains and excessive high inflows in the Beas river and release of one lakh cusecs of water from Pong Dam in Himachal Pradesh H.P, an official said.
According to reports received from Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), release of water from Pong Dam in the Beas river has been increased from 17,738 cusecs to 45,000 cusecs, a spokesman of Punjab's Irrigation Department said.
He said instructions have been issued to divisional commissioners of Jalandhar and Ferozepur and deputy commissioners of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Gurdaspur, Hoshirapur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Moga, Tarn Taran and Ferozepur to keep strict vigil along the embankment of the rivers. The water level in Bhakra Dam is also increasing.