83 Agra villages on high alert as Yamuna breaches all-time record water level

The Yamuna in Delhi swelled to 207.71 metres on Wednesday, breaching its 1978 record of 207.49 metres, triggering fears of flooding in the national capital and adjoining areas.

The water level in the river is likely to rise further, which prompted authorities to put 83 villages in Agra, ranging from Yamuna to Chambal, on high alert.

Agra District Magistrate, Navneet Singh Chahal, visited the Pinahat area of Agra and Chambal for inspection.

While villages have been put on high alert, teams have also been deployed for flood prevention and public safety.

A coordinating committee of all departments, including medical, electrical and education has also been constituted.

RISING WATER LEVEL IN YAMUNA

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and said the water level in Yamuna rose because a high volume of water is being released from Haryana’s Hathnikund barrage.

According to a top official, 3 lakh cusecs of water have been discharged from the Agra side of the Gokul barrage.

Authorities said the water level of the Yamuna River in the urban area of Agra may rise on the night of July 13.

Yamuna’s submergence zone contains 47 settlements.

NORMAL LIFE AFFECTED

Arnav Kumar, a Mathura resident who operates a boat at Renuka Dham, told India Today that the water level in the Yamuna has been rising for two days.

Boats are being used to help locals cross the Yamuna by tying ropes to trees on both sides of the river.

Tracks were also flooded due to heavy rains, further affecting train movement.

In view of heavy rains, seven trains were cancelled and the itinerary of eight others were adjusted.

Around 50 trains were running significantly later than expected.