NEW DELHI: In the bustling city of Delhi, the Yamuna River has once again exceeded its danger mark, rising to a staggering 206.56 meters at 7:00 am on Monday. This surge in water level followed intense rainfall that drenched various parts of the city on a Sunday evening, causing concern for potential flooding in the national capital and nearby regions. The river had been hovering around the danger mark, 205.33 meters, for the past few days, and the memories of its all-time high of 208.66 meters on July 13 still linger.

The situation was exacerbated by the discharge of over 2 lakh cusecs of water from the Hathnikund Barrage into the Yamuna River. The Hathnikund Barrage, located in Haryana's Yamunanagar district, saw a remarkable increase in water flow rate, soaring from 87,177 cusecs at 8 am on Saturday to a staggering 2,40,832 cusecs at 12 pm due to heavy rainfall in parts of Punjab and Haryana.

The effects of this rising water level were evident, as the old Yamuna bridge (Old Loha Pul) had its operations suspended by the Northern Railway since 2215 hrs on Sunday. This suspension directly impacted the route between Delhi and Shahdara.

Floodplains and low-lying areas were not spared, with the Hindon River in Noida, a tributary of the Yamuna, witnessing a rise in water level, leading to the submergence of several houses.

With the looming threat of flooding, the Delhi government has been put on high alert. The Delhi Revenue Minister, Atishi, issued a warning to the public about the possibility of the Yamuna Khadar getting inundated if the water level reaches 206.7 meters. In response to the situation, the government has assured the citizens of Delhi that evacuation preparations are in place and that they are closely monitoring the unfolding events.

To bolster their defense against potential flooding, Delhi Jal Board Vice-Chairman Saurabh Bhardwaj inspected the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and affirmed that the government has taken proactive measures, such as constructing embankments and reinforcement at vulnerable spots, to prevent floodwater from infiltrating the water treatment plants. Additionally, approximately 60 teams are constantly monitoring the Yamuna round the clock, and all departments remain on high alert. The government has even arranged two doctors for every relief camp in case evacuation becomes necessary.

However, the recent flood-displaced citizens were dissatisfied with the government's relief efforts, raising questions about Delhi's ability to handle the flood situation this time.

The situation remains precarious as Delhi faces the challenge of managing the swelling waters of the Yamuna River. With uncertainty lingering, the city must remain vigilant and well-prepared to mitigate any potential consequences that may arise from the ongoing flood threat.

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