The Yamuna River in Delhi has reached dangerous levels due to torrential rain, prompting a ‘orange alert’ from the India Meteorological Department. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an ‘orange alert’ in Delhi on Tuesday as the Yamuna River’s water level reached dangerous levels due to the recent heavy rains. The water level in the Yamuna River reached 206.24 meters, slightly over the danger mark of 205.33 meters, according to the Central Water Commission.
What is causing the Yamuna river water level to rise?
The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi has reached dangerous levels due to the release of water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana during heavy rains in the country’s northern belt. People living in the Yamuna floodplains’ low lying areas have been evacuated and relocated to relief camps. Meanwhile, Northern Railway announced that rail travel over the old Yamuna bridge would be temporarily prohibited beginning at 6 a.m. on July 11.
History of flood in Delhi
During the 1978 flood in Delhi, which was caused by severe monsoon rains and an overflow of the Yamuna River, a large number of people were evacuated as residential areas were submerged. The precise number of evacuees is not easily found in historical documents. The flood caused substantial damage to infrastructure, interruptions in transportation, and the displacement of thousands of residents. Similarly, strong rains and an overflowing Yamuna River caused a deadly flood in Delhi in 2013. Thousands of individuals were displaced from their houses as a result of this event’s large-scale evacuation. Floods in 1978 and 2013 highlighted the critical need for improved drainage infrastructure and enhanced disaster preparedness strategies to reduce future flood impacts.
Delhi Minister about Orange Alert
Thousands more people are likely to be evacuated now that the Yamuna’s water level has crossed the danger mark. “The evacuation of people in low-lying areas around the Yamuna River will begin once the river breaches the 206-meter mark,” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday. He said that the Delhi government is “prepared for all emergencies, though the intensity of the rain will gradually decrease” based on weather predictions.
On Monday, Delhi minister Atishi set out on a boat ride on the Yamuna to assess the situation as the city faced one of the worst floods in its history. According to Atishi, due to the rising water levels in the Yamuna, all departments are prepared, and over 50 motor boats have been deployed for rescue and relief activities. Divers and medical teams have also been prepared with all essential materials and equipment, according to Atishi.
Delhi’s schools are closed.
Due to the relentless rainfall and warnings issued by the Meteorological Department, schools in Delhi and certain regions of Uttar Pradesh have been compelled to close. Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, stated that this measure was taken as a precautionary step, considering the heavy downpour that has affected the national capital for the past two days.
In response to the continuous rainfall, the education department of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) released an official order on Monday evening, declaring the closure of all schools under its purview. The directive stated that schools operated, supported, or acknowledged by the MCD would remain shut on July 11, taking into consideration the prevailing weather conditions.
Conclusion
The Yamuna River’s rising water level has sparked concerns about the safety of low-lying places and the necessity for immediate precautions. With the orange alert in effect, authorities have taken precautions to guarantee citizens’ safety, including the closure of schools and the implementation of evacuation plans.
The circumstance serves as a reminder of the need for disaster preparedness and management in the face of natural disasters. As authorities continue to closely monitor the situation, it is vital for people to stay up to current on the latest information and follow the directions provided to mitigate risks and protect their safety during this critical moment.
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