New Delhi, August 20: As heavy rains wreaked havoc in north India, close to 14,000 people living in low-lying areas along the Yamuna in Delhi were evacuated to safe place till Tuesday. The Yamuna river continued to swell as it crossed the danger mark of 205.33 metres on Monday night. According to recent reports, the river is flowing at 206.08 metres. Yamuna River Crosses 'Danger Mark' As Water-Level Rises to 205.33 Metres, Delhi on Flood Alert.
A Flood Control Department official told IANS that the Yamuna was expected to get more water by late Tuesday or early Wednesday from upstream in Haryana. The water level is rising due to the discharge of water from Hathni Kund Barrage as heavy rains lashed various north Indian states.
According to reports, 8.28 lakh cusecs of water was released by Haryana from the barrage on Sunday, and it normally takes 72 hours to reach the capital. "Till Tuesday, over 13,635 people from low-lying areas across the city have been shifted, and the process is still on. More people will be shifted as we are expecting more water by late Tuesday night," the official added. The Delhi government has set up 46 relief camps with 2,120 tents having electricity, water, food and toilets. Yamuna River Crosses 'Warning Mark', Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Call Emergency Meeting.
Meanwhile, at least 58 people lost their lives due to heavy rain in the northern states including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Several highways were blocked after landslides in the hilly regions of the states. The Punjab government declared the flood situation as a natural calamity. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has allocated Rs. 100 crore relief to the affected districts in the state.
(With inputs from IANS)
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 20, 2019 06:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).