Yamuna recedes in Delhi but flows above danger mark

The water level in the Yamuna started receding in Delhi Thursday morning but stayed above the danger mark of 204.83 metres. Many low-lying areas in the city also remained inundated, a government official said.

"The water level, which rose to 207.20 metres mark (on Wednesday), came down to 207.15 metres around 9 a.m. today (Thursday). But it is still above the danger mark of 204.83 metres. We expect the water level to reach 207 metres by afternoon," Dharampal, secretary of Delhi's revenue and disaster management department, told IANS.

The official added that the Yamuna's wate level touched 207.25 metres mark by late Wednesday, the highest since 1978 when it reached 207.49 metres, and the food water spilled over to the Outer Ring Road. In 2010, the water level of the flooded river had touched 207.11 metres.

"The water level was so high yesterday (Wednesday) that by 8 p.m. the flood water spilled over to the Outer Ring Road. The Tibetan Market was filled with knee-deep waters. As the water level in the river is gradually coming down, the water on the road is draining out," the official said.

Over nine lakh cusecs of water has been released into the Yamuna from Hathinikund Barrage in Haryana in the last four days, resulting in rise of water level in the river.

"The water level released from Haryana has reduced significantly," he added.

A man drowned in the swollen river while bathing near Majnu Ka Tila in north Delhi Wednesday, the official said.

Nearly 5,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas like Usmanpur, Yamuna Bazar, Bhajanpura and Shastri Park in east Delhi, and shifted to about 900 relief camps set up by the city government.

However, people complained that there were not enough tents to house all those displaced.

The muddy, swirling waters of the Yamuna river crossed over the danger mark Tuesday, leading to the closure of the city's 145-year-old rail-cum-road bridge, which connects east Delhi with the heart of the national capital.