New Delhi: Continuous heavy rains in the capital, Delhi, and its surrounding areas (NCR) have badly affected life. The water level of the Yamuna River has risen rapidly to 207 meters, forcing the administration to evacuate people from low-lying areas.
Flood threat: Thousands of people shifted to safer places
Due to the dangerous rise in water level near the old railway bridge (ORB) of Yamuna, so far more than 7,500 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas and shifted to 25 relief camps.
According to the Central Flood Control Room, this water level is rising due to the continuous release of water from the Hathinikund and Wazirabad barrages. On Wednesday morning, 1.62 lakh cusecs of water were released from Hathinikund and 1.38 lakh cusecs from Wazirabad, due to which the flow of the Yamuna became very fast.
Road jams, waterlogging, and traffic affected
Many main roads of Delhi are flooded. The situation is serious in areas like Mathura Road, Vasundhara Gate, and Vasudev Ghat. Due to floodwater here, people are being evacuated by boats and relief vehicles.
Weather: Heavy rain in Delhi-NCR amid flood warning, Yamuna flowing above danger mark
The weather department issued an alert
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy to very heavy rain alert in many states for the next few days. Affected areas:
- Western Himalayan region
- Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat
- Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh
Schools and colleges closed in Himachal, reports of accidents
The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to keep all schools and colleges closed till 7 September. The reason for this is heavy rains and the possibility of landslides.
Some major incidents
- An old house collapsed in Jammu, but three people were rescued safely.
- Two workers died and three were injured due to a roof collapse in Kurukshetra (Haryana).
- Police rescued 25 Banjara families trapped in a drain in Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir).
Worst flood in decades in Punjab
Punjab is currently facing the worst flood in the last several decades. More than 30 people have died here, and more than 3.5 lakh people have been affected. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have decided to review the relief work.
Administration’s appeal
The administration and the Meteorological Department have appealed to the citizens not to go near rivers, drains, and other water sources. Also, follow the alert issued by the Meteorological Department and stay in safe places.
Heavy rains and floods in North India have badly affected life. Life has come to a standstill in many states, people are becoming homeless, and the administration is fully engaged in relief work. The weather conditions may worsen further in the coming days, so it is important to be alert.