Rains continue in Delhi, people evacuated as Yamuna overflows

Delhi witnessed another rainy day today and with the Yamuna overflowing authorities were on their toes shifting people living in low-lying areas and near the river bank to safer places.

The Delhi government has issued a warning that the Yamuna, which has already crossed the danger mark of 204.83 metres to touch 205.1 metres, could rise further as Haryana has released 3,24,365 cusecs of water from Tajiriwala barrage, officials said in New Delhi.

The city received 21 mm of rains during the day while it was hit by 44.10 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending 8:30 am today.

Yamuna is now flowing at a level of 205.10 metres, which makes it 22 cm above the danger level of 204.83 metres.

The river had crossed the danger mark late Friday night.

Around 500 people living close to the river bank have been evacuated and shifted to camps that have been set up in safer areas, they said.

Some 40 camps have been set up to provide shelter to the people affected by the rise in water level, and arrangements for medical and food facilities have been made, they added.

According to weather officials, the rain clouds are not in a mood to relent and more showers are expected tomorrow.

"This water is likely reach the capital within 24 hours and an alert has been sounded. We are keeping a strong vigil," an official said.

The Meteorological office said that the next 24 hours is likely to see a generally cloudy sky, with a few spells of rain or thundershower, one or two of which may be heavy.

The heavy showers have brought the temperature down to a maximum of 31.7 degree Celsius, which is three degrees below normal.

The minimum also fell and was recorded at 25.8 mm as against yesterday's 26.    8 degree Celsius.

Humidity too was very high between 98 and 94 per cent.

The city has received a total of 644.1 mm of rains since July 5 when monsoon hit the city.