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More than 1.78 lakh cusecs of water was released from Hathinikund Barrage this week, which reaches Delhi within 36 to 48 hours. This had a direct impact on the water level of the capital. Watch an exclusive analysis by veteran journalist Manoj Tibrewal Aakash
Yamuna River water continuously rising
New Delhi: The relationship between Delhi and Yamuna is centuries old. Yamuna is called the lifeline of Delhi, but when this river shows its fierce form, it puts the entire capital in trouble. Every year during the rainy season, people start worrying that Yamuna may overflow. And the same is happening this year as well. Due to continuous rain and water released from Hathinikund Barrage, the water level of Yamuna has crossed the danger mark.
Senior journalist Manoj Tibrewal Aakash said in his special show 'The MTA Speaks', According to the Central Water Commission, the danger mark of Yamuna is 205.33 meters and when it reaches 206 meters, people have to be evacuated on a large scale. On August 18, the water level reached 205.79 meters, due to which water started filling in the low-lying areas. The Meteorological Department has issued an alert of heavy rain in Uttarakhand and Himachal for the next three days, which can have a direct impact on Hathinikund Barrage and then Delhi. This is the reason why the administration is on high alert.
People are being taken to safe places from areas like Burari, Wazirabad, Sant Nagar and Jagatpur. But statistics show that even today more than 40 thousand people are settled in the flood area of Yamuna. A large number of them are labourers, rickshaw pullers, vegetable farmers and their families. Thousands of people are still standing on the banks of Yamuna because their homes, livelihood and cattle are there.
More than 1.78 lakh cusecs of water was released from Hathinikund Barrage this week, which reaches Delhi within 36 to 48 hours. This had a direct impact on the water level of the capital. As soon as the river swelled, the old iron bridge and the ghats around it were flooded. The settlements of Mayur Vihar and Yamuna Khadar were the first to submerge. The entire crop of the farmers was submerged, which included vegetables and paddy seedlings. This is not just a disaster but a livelihood crisis for farmers and labourers.
The terrible flood of 2023 is still fresh in the memories of Delhi. Then on July 11, the water level of Yamuna reached 208.66 meters, which is the highest ever recorded. That flood forced the closure of the old iron bridge. Traffic between Delhi-UP came to a standstill and more than three lakh people had to be displaced. Even the Parliament session was disrupted and the national capital was in disarray for weeks. People still shudder at the memory of that devastation. That is why this year, as soon as the water level rose, the same fear has returned in the minds of the people.
Amidst this crisis, the political aspect has also been added. At the time of the 2023 floods last year, there was an Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi. At that time, the BJP had raised questions as to why preparations were not made to deal with the floods. But this time the situation is different. Now there is a BJP government in Delhi and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta herself is visiting the affected areas. At the same time, in Haryana too, BJP Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini is under whom Hathinikund Barrage is. That is, this time the responsibility is on both the governments. The opposition is asking who will be held accountable if the situation does not come under control this time too?
There is another question in people's minds—why do we have to deal with the problem of floods every year? Environmentalists say that the real reason is not only the rain and the water released from the barrage, but the encroachment on the banks of the Yamuna and the neglect of the river. A large number of constructions have been made on the floodplain of the Yamuna, which has stopped the natural flow of the river. On top of that, the deposition of silt and pollution has increased so much that even a little rain brings devastation.
The Delhi High Court and the National Green Tribunal have warned several times that the floodplain of the Yamuna should be protected. The Supreme Court has also clearly said that it is the government's responsibility to remove encroachments on the banks of the Yamuna. But due to political tug-of-war and vote bank politics, concrete action has never been taken.
The government claims that rescue and relief operations are going on at a fast pace. Temporary relief camps have been set up, food and water arrangements have been made and medical facilities are also being provided. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority has set up 12 control rooms and NDRF teams have also been deployed. But the ground reality is that many families are still spending the night under the open sky. They have to resort to boats and tractors to reach relief camps. Children and the elderly are in the most difficulty.
The impact of the Yamuna flood is not limited to settlements and crops only. Traffic has come to a standstill due to waterlogging at many places on Delhi's roads. Office-goers have to face hours-long traffic jams. Schools have had to be closed in many areas. Electricity and drinking water supply is also being disrupted. Many pumping stations are on the verge of drowning, due to which Delhi may face a drinking water crisis. All this together brings the life of the capital to a standstill.
Experts believe that if a long-term solution is not worked out immediately, Delhi will continue to be hit by floods every year. There are three major suggestions as a solution—first, remove encroachment from the Yamuna flood area and restore greenery there. Second, scientific management of the water released from the Hathinikund Barrage. And third, make Delhi's drainage system modern and efficient.
The public's anger is clearly visible. People say that every year leaders and officers give statements, but do not find permanent solutions. Floods are no longer just a natural disaster; they have now become a mirror of Delhi's administrative inefficiency and political tussle.
This surge in the Yamuna reminds us how terrible the consequences of tampering with nature can be. Unless governments strike a balance between development and environment, Delhi will continue to face problems.
Delhi may face a drinking water crisis. All this together brings the life of the capital to a standstill.
Experts believe that if a long-term solution is not worked out immediately, Delhi will continue to be hit by floods every year. There are three major suggestions as a solution—first, remove encroachment from the Yamuna flood area and restore greenery there. Second, scientific management of the water released from the Hathinikund Barrage. And third, make Delhi's drainage system modern and efficient.
