The level of the Yamuna river in Delhi rises higher to the danger zone after water was released from the Hathnikund Barrage at Yamunanagar in Haryana. The Delhi government mentioned their preparedness to deal with any flood-like situation.
The water level was recorded at 204 metre at 10 am Tuesday, close to the warning level of 204.50 metre. Water was being released into Yamuna at the rate of 7,418 cubic metre per second (cusec), an official of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, told news agency Press Trust of India.
“We have a flood-control system ready and it will be activated when the situation demands,” Satyendra Jain, Delhi water and health minister said.
Mr Jain said, the government was vigilant and a plan is underway for people residing in areas along the Yamuna, right from Palla village to Okhla, he added.
The water level of the river grew higher due to heavy rainfall in its catchment area over the last few days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its forecast, said that the national capital is likely to observe another spell of “moderate to heavy rain” between Wednesday and Friday.
Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the regional forecasting centre, IMD, said the monsoon depression is likely to shift northwards and will remain close to Delhi-NCR from Tuesday evening to Friday.
Under its influence, widespread rainfall will be commonplace in northwest India. “One or two spells of moderate rain, thundershowers with isolated heavy rain may occur between Wednesday night and Friday afternoon in Delhi,” Mr Srivastava said.
Delhi has recorded 213 mm rainfall against the normal of 210 mm in August so far. Overall, the city received 532 mm rain against the normal of 486 mm since June 1, when monsoon arrives in the city.