Delhi Gears Up for Potential Yamuna Flood with Robust Preparations

The water level in the Yamuna River is gradually rising due to water discharge from Haryana's Hathinikund barrage. Delhi's Irrigation and Flood Control Minister, Saurabh Bharadwaj, oversaw flood preparations, including public warnings, rescue operations, and maintenance of river flow, to avoid last year’s flood scenario.

The water level in the Yamuna is rising due to the discharge of water in the river from Haryana's Hathinikund barrage, Delhi's Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said Tuesday, after reviewing the preparations to tackle potential flooding.

The river's water level has reached 204.35 meters at the Old Railway Bridge (ORB), nearing the warning level of 204.5 meters, Bharadwaj noted. Currently, around 10,000 to 13,000 cusecs of water are being discharged from the Hathinikund barrage.

Public announcements warning people to stay away from the river and prevent children from swimming will begin on Tuesday, the minister confirmed.

Preparations by the irrigation, flood control, and revenue departments are in place for rescue operations. If the river level hits the danger mark, rescue efforts will commence to move residents to safer areas, Bharadwaj stated.

The departments have undertaken measures to avoid a repeat of last season's floods, such as removing obstructions like jammed gates at the ITO barrage and clearing silt islands to ensure smooth water flow, according to the minister.

(With inputs from agencies.)