Delhi floods caused by encroachment on floodplains: Haryana probe panel

Due to heavy rains, according to Haryana government, which released a few findings of the report on Wednesday, a significant surge in Yamuna level was witnessed. Due to “non-opening of four gates” of the barrage near ITO in Delhi, excess water could not be cleared in time causing massive waterlogging and floods, it added.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had formed a three-member committee to investigate the matter.

In the report that was furnished, the committee observed that these gates were submerged in flood water that was about 12-feet deep. Besides, they were also filled with silt. These gates can be open only when both upstream and downstream silt around these gates is removed through special techniques, it added. According to the report, no power connection was available to carry out the process. “Floods in Delhi mainly occurred due to excessive encroachment, due to which the water reached up to the Ring Road. Excessive and unplanned construction around the river is obstructing the flow of Yamuna,” the report stated.

According to the report, during the dry season, the flow of the river stops completely. “The release of polluted water into the river through various drains leads to the accumulation of silt and rise in the river-bed levels. In such a situation, Delhi government should remove the heavy silt in front of gate number 28 to 32 so that flood water can flow through these gates. The Yamuna’s natural flood outlets have been systematically encroached upon for decades,” said the Haryana government while quoting the state probe report.

Reacting to the development, Delhi’s Water Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj tweeted, “Chief Engineer of Haryana suspended and several engineers chargesheeted for jammed gates of ITO Barrage. Has the responsibility of Delhi floods been fixed?”