Yamuna above danger mark, 5,000 evacuated

As the Yamuna water level crossed the danger level on Tuesday, the state government has evacuated as many as 5,000 people and rescued 400, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said.
Yamuna above danger mark, 5,000 evacuated

As the Yamuna water level crossed the danger level on Tuesday, the state government has evacuated as many as 5,000 people and rescued 400, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said.

The Delhi Government has set up 19 camps with over 500 tents to house those who have been evacuated.  On Wednesday, Dikshit visited the relief camps.

The Yamuna had flooded as record quantity of water was released from Hatni Kund barrage as North India witnessed unprecedented rainfall in June.  The water level of Yamuna touched 205.20 meter at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, which is the highest since 2010. In 1978, the water level had touched 207.49 meters while in 2010, it had touched 207.11 meters.

Dikshit said that the State Government is ready to meet any eventuality. She said that 62 boats and adequate number of divers had been deployed.  One person drowned in the river. His body is yet to be recovered.

High Discharge

Haryana recorded unprecedented flood water discharge of over 8.06 lakh cusecs at Hathani Kund Barrage on Monday and this is the all-time high in the history of the Yamuna. The last two highest discharges were over 7.44 lakh cusecs in 2010 and 7.09 lakh cusecs in 1978. Also, such a heavy discharge has never been observed in the month of June. As far as districts of Karnal and Panipat are concerned, there was a breach in Dhanaura Bund.  The Chougama villagers made a deliberate cut to get relief from flood water at site.

There is no loss to the abadi area and water has spread in about 2500 acres of land. On Tuesday, the site was inspected by the Chief Engineer and he observed that the water stagnated in the fields was less than one feet in depth. The breach site is being strengthened and shall be completed within three days, said an officer.

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