The raging Yamuna showed signs of calming on Saturday as the flow of the river at the Old Railway Bridge gradually receded.
The water level of the Yamuna river was recorded at 207.62 meters — still above the danger level — despite the water level receding. At 8 am, the water level of Yamuna was recorded 207.58 meters.
But several key areas in Delhi–ITO, Shanti Van area, the Income Tax office and other key areas remained flooded this morning after water levels of the Yamuna rose to an all-time high earlier this week.
After breaching the 45-year-old record three days ago, water levels in the Yamuna in Delhi came down to 207.62 metres at 7 am on Saturday.
The water level of Yamuna was recorded at 207.98 metres at 11 pm on Friday. As the Yamuna water level reduced, the Okhla water treatment plant, which was shut on Thursday, was opened.
The Yamuna river continued to overflow and due to this, nearby areas and key roads remain affected due to waterlogging in Delhi.
The floods in the national capital prompted the Delhi government to shut schools, colleges, crematoriums and also water treatment plants. The flood-like situation in Delhi has also inundated crematoriums in the vicinity of the Yamuna.
After restarting the Okhla water treatment plant, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said that the other two water treatment plants at Wazirabad and Chandrawal will also be restarted if the water levels of Yamuna river recede to 207.7 meters by Saturday morning.
MORE RAINS PREDICTED FOR DELHI
The crisis for the national capital does not seem to be over yet as the India Meterological Department (IMD) issued a ‘yellow’ alert for Saturday as it predicted moderate rain and thundershowers for that day. The regional metrological centre has predicted a generally cloudy sky with light to moderate rainfall for the next few days in Delhi.
WATERLOGGING AT ITO, SUPREME COURT
In more cause for concern, a regulator of the Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Department suffered damage on Friday, resulting in the Yamuna water flowing back towards the city.
The Irrigation and Flood Control Department’s regulator installed near the Indraprastha bus stand and the WHO Building was being repaired with sandbags, braces and boulders.
The breach of an embankment of a drain regulator led to waterlogging in some parts of Delhi such as the ITO, with floodwater reaching close to the Supreme Court complex, causing hardship for the people.
Water also entered the Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Rajghat due to backflow from a drain in the area. Following the breach, water started to flow into the city through the drain, inundating the Ring Road, Indraprastha Metro Station, IP Depot, ITO and Vikas Marg, reaching the entrance of the Supreme Court in central Delhi.
The Indraprastha water regulator was breached due to a strong current in the river and is likely to be repaired within three-four hours, Kejriwal had said earlier in the day while visiting the site. The repair work was on till Friday evening.
The Indian Army’s assistance was requisitioned by the Delhi administration when the Yamuna River was flowing above the danger mark and low-lying areas were inundated.
While a team of engineers was deployed at the ITO bridge barrage to open jammed sluice gates, a team of engineers assessed the situation and constructed a temporary bund to divert the water back to Yamuna near the WHO building.
DELHI FLOODS
The dramatic surge of Yamuna rver resulted in the flooding of nearby streets, public facilities, and private infrastructure, leading to significant difficulties for residents residing in close proximity to the river.
The Delhi Traffic Police has put out an alert urging people to plan their journeys accordingly in view of the flood-like situation in many parts of the city.
Over 4,500 traffic personnel have been deployed in affected areas to decongest traffic and help navigate commuters, police said, adding, the traffic restrictions will be lifted depending on how fast the water recedes.
Meanwhile, the opposition BJP has mocked the chief minister’s ‘world class city’ claim. “It’s unfortunate that Delhi is flooded today. This situation doesn’t come as a surprise to me as the present government has not spent any money on building infrastructure in the city. CM had promised to make Delhi a world-class city,”Gautam Gambhir, BJP MP from East Delhi told ANI.