Yamuna crosses danger mark: Kejriwal calls emergency meeting

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday called an emergency meeting to discuss the situation arising from release of 5 lakh cusec of water in the Yamuna by neighbouring Haryana.

'Haryana has released 5 lakh cusec water. Called an emergency meeting to discuss the situation,' Kejriwal tweeted.

Water level at Old Yamuna Bridge has gone up to 205.16 meters, 0.33 meters higher than the danger mark of 204.83 meters.

In another tweet, Kejriwal added, "this water is likely to reach Delhi by tomorrow evening. Wherever administration is evacuating people, we request them to cooperate. All departments should be put on high alert. For any flood-related emergency, control room no is 1077," he added.

Earlier today, the Delhi government have issued flood warning and asked the people living in low-lying areas to evacuate.

Speaking to ANI, District Magistrate K. Mahesh said that they are prepared for the situation and are making people aware.

"We have 17 boats in the boat club of East district, and there are 34 boats with our irrigation and flood control department. Yesterday, we asked people to evacuate. We are making people aware of what they should do during a situation like this. As far as relief is concerned, we are prepared in case any such situation arises we would provide food and tent to people," said K. Mahesh.

The District Magistrate also said that they are already closely monitoring the situation.

"The Chief Minister has issued the flood control order of 2018. We have a central control room which is working round the clock from June 15, and it will continue to work till October 15. We get the information from the Central Water Commission, which we further disseminate. We have been working since 7 AM," he added.

Arun Gupta, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, East Delhi said that the water level is expected to rise to 205.40 metres.

"Yamuna has breached the danger mark. It is expected to reach to the level of 205.4 meters as water is being continuously released. We have taken precautionary measures", Gupta told ANI.

The river level is checked at old Yamuna Bridge. The flooding would affect six districts of Delhi.

The water discharge from Haryana's Hathini Kund barrage on Friday night was 1,87,272 cusec.

On Friday, Delhi and adjoining areas experienced heavy rainfall, followed by severe water-logging and traffic jams in several areas.