New Delhi, Sep 20 : Flood threat loomed large over Delhi as neighbouring Haryana today released 7.5 lakh cusec of water into Yamuna, the highest discharge in last 100 years on a single day, which may further raise the water level of the river, already flowing almost a metre above the danger mark.
Fearing a flood-like situation, Delhi Government appealed to people living in low-lying areas to move to safer places and alerted concerned authorities to remain "extremely vigilant" in monitoring the situation.
The water level in Yamuna swelled to 205.78 metre at 8 pm which is 95 cm above the danger mark of 204.83 metres. It will keep on rising steadily for next two days, said a senior offcial of the Flood and Irrigation Department.
Flood Control Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan, after chairing a high-level meeting called to review the situation, said 7.5 lakh cusec of water was discharged into Yamuna from Hathanikund Barrage in Haryana which is highest in a single day in the past 100 years. Haryana had released a total of 6.53 lakh cusec of water into Yamuna yesterday.
"The water level in the river may go up to 207 metres on Wednesday. We are constantly monitoring the situation and there is no reason to worry," Chauhan said. Asking people living in the low lying areas to safer places, he said all concerned agencies are fully prepared to meet with any eventualities.
The government today shifted hundreds of people from Garhi Mandu, Usmanpur Pusta, Jagatpur Village and Shastri Nagar to relief camps. Over 3500 people shifted to relief camps set up by the government following flood-threat last week, are continuing to stay there. Chouhan said booster pumps have been installed in several areas along the river to pump out the water.
However, he said, there is no threat to the Games Village even if the water level rises further. The water level in Yamuna had touched 206.78 metres on September 11 following huge discharge by Haryana, submerging several localities along the river.
Chouhan said the Irrigation and Flood Control Department has 85850 empty cement bags, 3582 cubic metres of stone, 11trucks and 422 life jackets to meet the challenge. He said 74 boats and 68 divers have also been pressed into service. In the last 40 years, the city had witnessed floods in 1967, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1988, 1995 and 1998 but the flood in 1978 was of serious nature as it had inundated areas in the city. The water level in Yamuna had touched 207.49 metre then, flooding vast areas in east Delhi. Last month too, the Yamuna water level was above the danger level for several days, prompting authorities to shift a large number of people to relief camps. PTI
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