River breaches danger mark: Thieves, snakes, mosquitoes — concerns of those displaced by a rising Yamuna in Delhi
When contacted, Seelampur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Nitesh Singh Rawat said, “We have already set up many tents and more will be put up soon"
3 min read
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visits a flooded Yamuna Bazar (Express/Praveen Khanna)For Sunil Sharma, a resident of Yamuna Bazaar – parts of which are currently inundated due to the Yamuna river crossing the danger mark on Monday – the prime concern now is to ensure his household items are not stolen as he shifts to a temporary accommodation.
He hopes to avoid a repeat of July 2023, when thieves had a free run with the river breaching the 208.66-m mark, resulting in Delhi witnessing one of its worst floods in recent decades. “During the 2023 flood, we had to move very far away. Many people had their belongings stolen. The flood didn’t stop thieves,” he said on Tuesday.
When The Indian Express visited Yamuna Bazaar in the afternoon, there was knee-deep water inside. Most of the roofs of the houses were covered with household items – ranging from a cooler to gas cylinders.
Nearly all residents have moved out to the tents built by the government, with the water level at the river rising to 205.42 m at 10 pm – a little higher than the 205.33-m danger level. The level is expected to drop to 204.49 m by 8 pm on Wednesday, said officials.
When The Indian Express visited Yamuna Bazaar in the afternoon, there was knee-deep water inside (Express/Praveen Khanna)
Unlike Sunil, 35-year-old Reena Devi’s immediate concern is not thieves but snakes. “There are lots of snakes in the water. What will happen if they bite my children… The water also carries a lot of insects,” said Reena, a mother of four. She has shifted to a tent put up by the administration on Monday night.
She is not alone. Many from Yamuna Bazaar had started shifting to the tents since the water level started rising on Monday evening.
“Yesterday, the water level rose suddenly and the administration told us to leave in the evening. They should have alerted us earlier… Belongings of many people, who were at work, got damaged,” said Aman Kumar (20), a student at Shyam Lal College.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta waded barefoot through inundated areas of Yamuna Bazar, as she assured people that the water level was receding and there was no flood-like situation.
“There was no flood-like situation in Delhi. The river had swollen to its peak level, and now the water has begun to recede,” she said.
A few kilometres away in Yamuna Khadar, 60-year-old Bijli said the biggest problem they face during floods is a rapid increase in the mosquito population. “During rain and flood, there is a rise in the number of mosquitoes and insects. Also, the water is so dirty that we get rashes.”
Bijli and her family, along with many other residents of Yamuna Khadar, have also shifted to makeshift tents.
Sakina, another resident of Yamuna Khadar, complained that arrangements at the tents were not up to the mark. “We have not received any food,” she said.
When contacted, Seelampur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Nitesh Singh Rawat said, “We have already set up many tents and more will be put up soon. Delhi Jal Board tankers and makeshift toilets have also been attached to the tents.”
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