As the water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi continues to rise, it has caused significant impacts on the city. Floodwaters have submerged areas near the river’s floodplains, resulting in the closure of arterial roads and disruptions to the water supply. More than 23,000 people have been evacuated, and all educational institutions have been shut down. The government has advised most employees to work from home.
The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi stood at 208.66 meters as of 8 p.m. on Thursday evening. However, it is expected to gradually recede to 208.45 meters by 3 a.m. on Friday, according to the Central Water Commission. The river breached the danger mark of 205.33 meters on Monday evening.
The situation can be described as an emergency, as roads near important locations such as the Red Fort, the Income Tax Office area, and Civil Lines have been flooded. Additionally, areas farther away from the river are also experiencing flooding.
The city’s drinking water supply has been significantly affected, with three water treatment plants being closed due to flooding. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has stated that water supply will decrease by 25%, leading to shortages in many areas for the next couple of days.
In response to the situation, Chief Minister Kejriwal has urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors. He has also announced the closure of all schools, colleges, and universities in Delhi until Sunday. Most government offices, except those providing essential services, will operate remotely. The government will issue advisories to private offices, encouraging them to implement work-from-home policies as much as possible.
Relief and rescue efforts are underway, with the Delhi Disaster Management Authority coordinating the response. Additional teams have been deployed to assist in relief and rescue operations in flood-prone areas. More than 20,000 people have been shifted to relief camps, and the government has set up tents and shelters for those affected.
The floods have sparked a political dispute, with the Aam Aadmi Party government blaming the BJP government in Haryana for releasing excessive water from the Hathnikund Barrage upstream of Delhi. However, the Haryana government has denied the allegations, stating that the barrage is not capable of storing water.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has contacted Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena to receive updates on the situation and has instructed the utilization of all possible assistance from the Central government to address the flooding and waterlogging in Delhi.
As the water level of the Yamuna River continues to rise, the situation remains closely monitored. Evacuations will commence once the river surpasses the 206-meter mark. Chief Minister Kejriwal has called for unity among political parties, emphasizing the need to focus on dealing with the situation rather than engaging in a blame game.
