Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal seeks Centre’s intervention as Yamuna swells to all-time high 

Pointing out that news of flood in the capital will not send a good message ahead of the G-20 Summit meet, CM Kejriwal further urged Shah to release the water from Hathnikund barrage in Haryana at a controlled speed. Kejriwal, in the letter, also stated that a flood is likely in Delhi with the water level in Yamuna flowing at 207.55 m, way above the ‘danger level’.

(Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Addressing a press conference here later, Kejriwal urged the residents of low-lying areas to vacate immediately. “I appeal to the people who stay in the affected areas to vacate their homes with whatever essentials they need as soon as possible. We have made adequate arrangements for everything including food and toilets at camps,” Kejriwal told the reporters. “The government has put relief measures in place… I have just met all the District Magistrates, and instructed them to take over schools to convert them to relief camps and for the utilisation of toilets and other facilities,” Kejriwal said.

“We are coordinating with the Centre through officers. After I wrote to the Union Home Minister, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat spoke to me over the phone… DMs have been asked to temporarily suspend schools in affected areas,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal called for an emergency meeting as the water level of the Yamuna at the Old Railway Bridge was recorded to be 207.55 m at 1 pm — highest in 45 years. At 8 am, the level was recorded at 207.25 metres near the Old Bridge in Delhi.

Sharing the concern, Kejriwal also tweeted: “Central Water Commission predicts 207.72 meter water level in Yamuna tonight. Not good news for Delhi. Urge Centre to intervene and ensure that levels in Yamuna don’t rise further.”

Rescue efforts on the banks of the river began a day earlier after water levels of Yamuna breached the evacuation mark. Thousands of people were evacuated from Yamuna Khadar in Delhi’s Mayur Vihar area on Wednesday morning. The Delhi Police imposed prohibitory measures under CrPC section 144 in flood-prone areas of the city, preventing unlawful assembly of four or more people and public movement in groups.

Delhi has witnessed a rapid increase in water levels of the Yamuna river over the past three days. “The areas already affected include the Boat Club, Yamuna Bazar, Majnu Ka Tila to Wazirabad, Usmanpur, Badarpur Khadar, DND Pushta Mayur Vihar, Jagatpur Main Pushta Road,” the CM told the reporters.

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