NEW DELHI: With the water level of the Yamuna rising every hour, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal held a review meeting with senior officials on Monday and issued directions to all the agencies concerned to brace for a flood-like situation.
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At 6 pm, the river breached the danger mark and was flowing at 205.36 metres. People living in the floodplain of the river have been moved to over 2,000 tents set up by various Delhi government agencies.
“In view of rising level of Yamuna, around 10,000 people have been evacuated from floodplain and shifted to relief tents erected by the administration,” a senior official said.
The Old Iron Bridge over the Yamuna was closed for road and rail traffic.
Kejriwal said the next two days are going to be “critical” and assured the people that all arrangements were being made to deal with the situation.
Addressing a press conference, the CM said that more than 23,800 people will be required to be moved out from low-lying areas, according to official estimates.
A portion of the Nigambodh Ghat in east Delhi was flooded afer the Yamuna breached the danger mark. The pyres facing the river turned into islands as water entered the ghat, even as a few people went on with the last rites of their family members.
Officials said the water level is expected to rise as Haryana released 1.43 lakh cusec water at 6 pm on Monday. According to the Flood Control Room, the Yamuna was flowing at 205.54 metres at 9 pm.