Water level in Yamuna recedes slightly

The water level in the Yamuna began receding today, marginally improving the flood-like situation in several low-lying areas along the river in the national capital.

The water level of the river came down to 206.23 metres this afternoon. It had touched 206.78 metres at around 7 pm last evening, 1.95 metres above the danger mark of 204.83 metre, officials said.

"The water level has reached 206.23 metres and will recede further. Several low-lying areas which were inundated have also got slight reprieve," a senior official of the flood control department of the Delhi government said.

However, heavy rains since this morning led to waterlogging in some areas in east Delhi.

Over 10 lakh cusec water has been released into Yamuna from Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana in the last four days, resulting in rise in the water level in the river.

The rising river has flooded several localities of east Delhi including Garhi Mandu, Usmanpur Pusta, Jagatpur Village and Shastri Nagar. Areas near the ISBT were also flooded, prompting thousands of people to stake shelter in government relief camps and in safer areas.

Chief minister Sheila Dikshit and flood control minister Raj Kumar Chouhan had yesterday visited several flood-affected areas to take stock of the relief and rescue operations.

She ordered the agencies concerned to ensure proper food, medicine, and drinking water supply to people living in the relief camps.

Dikshit had also asked people not to panic and said every possible measures is being taken to meet any eventuality.

Flood water has also entered areas like Yamuna Vihar, Madanpur, Sonia Vihar, Nigambodh, Jaitpur, Tibet Market and Yamuna Bazar. Many people living in low-lying areas along the banks of the river were seen lined up on the footpaths on the ITO bridge with whatever was left of their belongings. 

The Old Yamuna Bridge remained shut for road and rail traffic. The bridge was closed on Friday as the water level of the Yamuna river rose dangerously. 

Due to the closure of the bridge, 25 trains were cancelled, 41 were terminated or originated short of destination while 36 trains were diverted today, a Northern Railway spokesman said.

Among the trains that have been cancelled are several passenger trains between Delhi and Ghaziabad, Saharanpur-Delhi Passenger, Kalka-Delhi Passenger and Delhi-Panipat Passenger.