In Noida, rural areas as well as upscale societies face brunt of overflowing river
While Delhi may see some relief starting Friday, Noida will have to wait a little longer.
3 min read
Outside Paras Tierea housing society in Noida. Gajendra Yadav The unprecedented rise in Yamuna water level has now brought the urban and rural areas of Noida to a standstill. As the river at the Okhla Barrage crossed the danger level of 200.60 m, thousands of people had to take shelter on the road — their homes, farms and belongings submerged in the water.
“It feels like we will never have a permanent home in the city. We are the first victims of the flood, but the last beneficiary of the river,” said Dharmendra Singh (45), who works in a nursery and whose family members were trapped on Pushta road, Nangla-Nangli village in Noida Sector-134.
According to an official from the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation department, the downstream level of the Yamuna at the Okhla Barrage was 200.75 meters. (Express photo by Gajendra Yadav)
“ I remember in 2013, the administration had taken us out safely by making announcements through loudspeakers three days in advance. But this time it did not happen. Many of our valuables were washed away,” he added.
Till late Thursday evening, around 40 people were trapped in the water and rescue operations were underway. But it is not just the shanties that were affected. Water entered the gated colonies in Sector-137, sector-141 and sector-142. The road near the Paras Tierea Society and Advant building on the Greater Noida Expressway was waterlogged.
District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma appointed nodal officers to provide relief material to affected families living in permanent shelters.
“Four shelters were built in Noida Sector 134, 135, 136 to shift the affected families to permanent accommodation due to the increased water level of Yamuna river. Around 1,500 people, including 150 who were rescued, are staying here,” said Nodal officer and Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Atul Kumar.
“People can also get help in case of general flood disaster by contacting the control room number 01202974274,” said the nodal officer.
While Delhi may see some relief starting Friday, Noida will have to wait a little longer.
According to an official from the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation department, the downstream level of the Yamuna at the Okhla Barrage was 200.75 meters.
“Around 3.72 lakhs cusec water is being discharged downstream of the barrage. In 2013, 3.65 lakh cusec water was being discharged,”said Binod Kumar Singh, executive engineer, head works division Agra Canal, Okhla Barrage.
“It is predicted that the water level will keep rising in the coming days and there will be flood like situation till July 18. Even if the water level in Hathnikund barrage decreases, it will take 48 to 52 hours for the water level to decrease here,” added Singh.
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