Delhi flood news updates: Yamuna water level breaches danger mark again

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena conducted an inspection of Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial complex, on Tuesday, following its inundation caused by the rising water level of the Yamuna river. In an evening tweet, the LG stated that efforts were underway on a mission mode to drain out the flood water from Rajghat.

The unprecedented flooding in Delhi has been attributed to several factors by experts. These include encroachment on floodplains, extreme rainfall events occurring in shorter durations, and silt accumulation leading to a raised riverbed.

A study conducted by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department on “Urban Flooding and its Management” specifically identifies east Delhi as a floodplain region that is highly vulnerable to floods.

The rising Yamuna water levels could have an impact on the water supply in Delhi. The pump house at Wazirabad was affected for four to five days due to flooding, causing disruptions to the water supply. The pump house supplies raw water to Wazirabad, Chandrawal, and Okhla water treatment plants, which collectively contribute around 25 per cent of the city’s water supply.

The Okhla water treatment plant resumed operations on Friday, followed by Chandrawal on Sunday, and Wazirabad on Tuesday. However, there is still a shortage of about 10-12 million gallons of water per day due to inundation of some tube wells in the river floodplains at Palla, according to a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) official’s statement on Tuesday evening.

Delhi flood: Traffic on the road near the Red Fort normalised on Wednesday morning, after the reduction in flood water in the city. Traffic was halted for days due to severe waterlogging and flood conditions as the Yamuna river continued to be in spate.

The rise in water levels could potentially hinder the progress of rehabilitating families affected by the flooding in low-lying areas of the capital. As a result, these families may have to extend their stay in relief camps for a longer period.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh until July 22. Additionally, moderate showers are predicted for Delhi on Wednesday. Due to the possibility of heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas, the water level of the Yamuna river is expected to rise.

On Tuesday afternoon, the flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage experienced a slight increase, fluctuating between 50,000 and 60,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs). However, by 7 am on Wednesday, the flow rate dropped to approximately 39,000 cusecs.

According to the data from the Central Water Commission, the water level of the river reached 205.48 meters at 8 am, and it further rose to 205.60 meters an hour later. It is anticipated that the water level will continue to increase and reach 205.72 meters by 6 pm.

On Wednesday morning, the water level of the Yamuna in Delhi surpassed the danger mark once again, just hours after it had receded below the threshold. The rise in water level was caused by continuous rains in the national capital and the upper regions of the river.

Delhi government officials conducted a visit on Tuesday to assess the situation at flood relief camps in Shahdara and the southeast district. 

According to official data over 27,000, have been evacuated from the flood-affected regions. Out of these, 17,870 individuals are currently accommodated in tents and shelters set up to provide them with necessary relief and support.

Yamuna river’s water level has risen significantly, reaching the walls of the Taj Mahal, a historic event previously observed in 1978 and 2010. Archaeological Survey of India stated that the increased water levels do not pose any threat to the iconic monument.

Yamuna water level at the Old Railway Bridge at 8 pm stood at 205.30 metres that is below the danger level of 205.33 metres.

The water level of the Yamuna in Delhi on Tuesday followed a downward trend and dropped below the danger mark of 205.33 metres by 8 pm, the Central Water Commission’s data showed. The river water level showed a slight increase on Monday due to rains in catchment areas upstream of the national capital.

According to the CWC’s flood-monitoring portal, the water level is expected to drop to 205.15 metres by 7 am on Wednesday.

The Wazirabad water treatment plant, where operations were hit due to inundation of a pump house, has also started working at full capacity, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said. (PTI)

“All efforts are being made to drain the water from the Raj Ghat area. More than 10 pumps have been installed, and walls are also being demolished. I think in the next 24 hours the water will be pumped out of the area,” Delhi LG said

The New Delhi Municipal Council on Tuesday distributed ration to farmers and fisherfolk living along the Yamuna here who lost their livelihood in the recent flood.

The donation drive was organised with support of the Uma Niranjan Foundation.

New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Vice-Chairman Satish Upadhyay said around 1,300 kilogrammes of essential ration was distributed to about 100 distressed families.

Upadhyay stressed the importance of extending help and support to those facing adversity and said the ration was distributed to flood-affected people “earning their livelihood through farming and fishing under the DND Flyway”. (PTI)

They survived Delhi’s devastating floods but now stare at the challenges of the aftermath — rebuilding a home, restarting a life!

Aruna Devi (35) lived in the Yamuna Khadar area before the water of the swollen river came gushing in last week, sweeping away the modest structure she called home and destroying her children’s books.

The family was evacuated to a relief camp, and as the water recedes it prepares to come back. Their immediate challenge is that one of them has fallen sick, but their longterm challenges are more daunting. 

“I am worried for the education of my children,” says Aruna, who worked in agriculture fields. “The flood washed away their books and other essentials. When I went back to get them, the police did not let me. I do not know what I shall do.” (PTI)

Considering the improvement in flood situation and descending water level of Yamuna River, Delhi government orders to withdraw the restrictions on the entry of Heavy Vehicles in the city

Light rain is likely in the city on Monday, with the maximum temperature expected to settle around 35 degrees Celsius. It was a humid morning with the minimum temperature settling at 26.4 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season’s average.

The relative humidity at 8.30 am was recorded at 81 per cent. (PTI

The traffic situation in the ITO area of the national capital returned to normal on Tuesday with the opening of the stretch, ending the woes of commuters from East Delhi to the central parts of the city.

Vehicular movement was restricted in the water-logged ITO area last week after a regulator of the Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Department was damaged due to the overflowing Yamuna river.

One carriageway of the Vikas Marg was opened on Monday evening. Vehicles started plying on both carriageways of the road on Tuesday, officials said.

As some areas in Delhi dealing with flooding caused by a swollen Yamuna river, rains poured across various parts of the city on Tuesday. Lajpat Nagar and the East of Kailash area in south Delhi, as well as parts of central Delhi including the Delhi Secretariat area, experienced rainfall. 

The meteorological department had predicted moderate rain in the national capital for that day. The minimum temperature in the city was recorded at 27.4 degrees Celsius, accompanied by a morning humidity level of 89 percent. The maximum temperature is anticipated to reach around 33 degrees Celsius.

The Delhi government has taken steps to alleviate waterlogging in certain areas by opening two out of the five blocked gates at the ITO barrage. Among the barrage’s 32 gates, five were clogged with silt, impeding the efficient drainage of river water.

“Gate number 30 of the ITO barrage opened at 5:19 am today,” Saurabh Bharadwaj tweeted on Tuesday.

Shri Somnath Bharti, Vice Chairman of the Delhi Jal Board, took the opportunity to interact with the flood victims and understand their immediate needs and challenges during his visit to the flood relief camp at Yamuna Bridge near Akshardham Temple. He instructed the authorities to make adequate arrangements for providing clean and safe drinking water in the camps, food was also distributed among the victims.

The swollen Yamuna River caused the pump house at Wazirabad to be flooded, resulting in disruptions to the operations of Wazirabad, Chandrawal, and Okhla water treatment plants. The inundation of the pump house caused 25 per cent decrease in the overall water supply.

Officials announced the partial reopening of Vikas Marg on Monday evening, with one carriageway made accessible for vehicles. The road’s complete restoration allowed for the smooth movement of vehicles on both carriageways on Tuesday. 

The Yamuna River in Delhi reached a historic water level of 208.66 meters on 13 July, surpassing the previous all-time record of 207.49 meters set in September 1978 by a significant margin. This surge in water level resulted in the river breaching embankments and penetrating deeper into the city than it has in over four decades.

By Friday, the raging Yamuna caused a backflow of foul-smelling water from drains, leading to inundation in prominent locations across the city. Areas such as the Supreme Court, Raj Ghat, and the bustling intersection at ITO were affected by the flooding. However, the situation is under control now.

As per the Central Water Commission’s flood-monitoring portal, the water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi receded to 205.67 meters at 8 am on Tuesday, compared to 206.01 meters recorded at 11 pm on Monday

On Tuesday morning, the water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi showed a decline after experiencing a slight increase on Monday, caused by rainfall in the catchment areas upstream of the national capital.

Despite the decrease, the river is still flowing at a level more than two meters above the danger mark, which is set at 205.33 meters

Delhi floods: With the water level in the Yamuna showing a rising trend, the Delhi government urged people on Monday to stay put in the relief camps while assuring them that they are not facing any threat, even as some of them returned to their homes and shops to begin the exercise of rebuilding them.

Authorities meanwhile continued the work of pumping out water from flooded roads, with officials saying the water has been cleared from almost all the roads, barring a carriageway of the ITO stretch and Rajghat. However, the removal of silt and mud is being done.

Delhi is in the middle of battling one of its worst flood-like scenarios due to the recent heavy rain, with more than 25,000 people evacuated from inundated areas.

Delhi floods: Water level of River Yamuna continues to recede again. At 7 am it was recorded to be at 205.71 meters in Delhi.

With the water level in the Yamuna showing a rising trend, the Delhi government urged people on Monday to stay put in the relief camps while assuring them that they are not facing any threat, even as some of them returned to their homes and shops to begin the exercise of rebuilding them.

Authorities meanwhile continued the work of pumping out water from flooded roads, with officials saying the water has been cleared from almost all the roads, barring a carriageway of the ITO stretch and Rajghat. However, the removal of silt and mud is being done.

Delhi is in the middle of battling one of its worst flood-like scenarios due to the recent heavy rain, with more than 25,000 people evacuated from inundated areas.

Delhi floods: Amid a controversy over the maintenance of ITO barrage here, the Delhi government on Monday said the matter was raised with the Haryana government on many occasions in the past.

Reacting to the AAP-led Delhi government’s claims that the gates of the ITO barrage in Delhi maintained by the Haryana government had jammed due to silt accumulation, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said the AAP never mentioned that such a problem could come up.

Khattar has formed a two-member fact-finding committee to look into the jammed gates of the ITO barrage on the Yamuna river.

Delhi floods: The Delhi government has decided to partially lift restrictions on the entry of heavy goods vehicles in the national capital.

The government had banned the entry of heavy goods vehicles, barring those carrying essentials, in the city from four borders, including Singhu, as a precautionary measure in view of the rising Yamuna levels, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said on July 13.

“… it has been decided that restrictions for entry of Heavy Goods Vehicles to be removed partially, in view of receding water level of Yamuna River and improvement in flood situation in some parts of Delhi. The ban on entry of Heavy Goods Vehicles shall continue only from the Singhu Border,” reads the new order.

Former Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh Deepak Singhal on Monday lashed out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying that he has no knowledge of technology and water management.

Speaking to ANI, the former bureaucrat said, “Kejriwal has no knowledge of technology and water management…He should think about implementing long-term schemes to save Delhi.”

Countering Kejriwal’s claims that the Eastern and Western Canals of the Yamuna were not opened despite the flooding of the Yamuna at Delhi, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary said that canals are not opened during floods because it may lead to permanent siltation in the canals since floodwater contains a high amount of silt.

“Arvind Kejriwal accused the Centre of not opening Eastern Yamuna Canal and Western Yamuna Canal…One never opens canals during floods because the flood water contains silt which can damage crops and agriculture…This would have led to permanent damage…Kejriwal is making unscientific statements,” he said.

Delhi floods: The water level of the Yamuna River was recorded at 206.01 meters in Delhi on Monday at 11 pm. This is a level-up from the earlier gradual decrease in the water level of the Yamuna.

Earlier, the water level of the Yamuna crossed 205.48 metres on Monday morning. This was slightly above the danger mark of 205.33 metres, even as the waterlogging persisted in several parts of the national capital.

“In view of this situation, there is also a chance of water level rising in Yamuna and Hindon. The district administration has issued a warning for the next 72 hours. It is advisable that people and villagers living near the rivers take caution and stay at safe locations,” Gautam Buddh Nagar District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma said.

“In any case, people should not try to go into the rivers or near the rivers. On Sunday, we received information that some people tried to take bath in flooded areas and also tried to take selfies. This could be fatal. I appeal to every resident of Gautam Buddh Nagar to stay alert in the next 72 hours as water level of rivers can rise,” the DM said.

Delhi Minister Atishi on Monday advised people living in relief camps set up by the government in the National Capital to not return to their flood-affected homes since there was “slight rise” in water level in Yamuna River after rains lashed some areas of Haryana a day earlier.

The water level of the Yamuna reached 205.94 metres at 6 pm on Monday and remained above the danger mark of 205.33 metres. According to a Central Water Commission (CWC) forecast, the water level in the river is expected to touch 206.1 metres by 9 pm.

“After flooding, there is a fear of cases of vector-borne disease like dengue, chikungunya and malaria rising. But that trend is not being seen at the moment. Cases of conjunctivitis and skin allergy are mostly being reported from relief camps,” Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj told reporters.

“It is the government’s duty to provide necessary assistance and support to those affected by the disaster. Adequate arrangements have been made at these camps to provide accommodation to the affected individuals, including provisions for carpets and mattresses to ensure their comfort. Special attention is being given to children, and medical facilities have been set up for their well-being,” Development Minister Gopal Rai said on Monday. 

The lawmaker was visiting a relief camp in Bela Gaon near Rajghat Depot.

The water level of the Yamuna rose slightly on Monday afternoon to reach 205.92 metres at 4 pm. It had earlier been recorded at 205.58 metres at 9 am. The level of Yamuna breached the previous all-time record of 207.49 metres and the 208-metre mark on July 12. It has continued to remain above the danger mark of 205.33 metres since then.

“The ₹10,000 compensation announced by the Kejriwal government is too little for those affected. We demand that the Delhi government constitutes a high-level committee to survey the extent of losses suffered by the people, including traders and farmers, and announce adequate cash compensation for them,” said Delhi Congress president Anil Chaudhary.

Rising Yamuna water level not a threat for people in Delhi: Cabinet minister Atishi.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has issued an official notice announcing the closing and opening of schools in several parts of Delhi in light of the receding water level of Yamuna in the national capital.

The Directorate of Education in Delhi on Sunday released the list of schools that would remain closed on July 17 and 18 owing to the relief camps there or as a preventative measure due to waterlogging.

Greater Noida is part of Gautam Buddh Nagar district, which is located between the Yamuna and the Hindon rivers and is one of regions in Uttar Pradesh which has been impacted by the floods since last week.

According to official figures, till Sunday night, floods in the district affected more than 8,700 people and displaced nearly 6,300 animals.

Police on Monday fished out from the Yamuna in Greater Noida the bodies of two men who had gone missing earlier while bathing, an official said.

The victims were identified as 21-year-old Dhiraj and 17-year-old Sanjit, both residents of Makanpur Khadar village.