On Friday, heavy rainfall and increased water flow in the Yamuna river caused flood-like conditions in several major areas near the river in New Delhi, including ITO and Rajghat. However, the Central Water Commission reported that the water level of the Yamuna river was gradually decreasing in the national capital. At 9 am on Friday, it was recorded at 208.4 meters at the Old Railway Bridge, compared to 208.66 meters at 8 pm the previous night, which was the highest recorded level ever.
The water level at 8 am was 208.42 meters, while at 7 am it was 208.44 meters at the Old Railway Bridge. The level dropped to 208.46 meters at 6 am, but it still remained above the danger mark of 205.33 meters.
According to the Central Water Commission’s website, the Yamuna water level is expected to further decrease to 208.3 meters at 1 pm.
Delhi Minister Atishi provided some positive news by stating that the water level was not rising. She mentioned that the water level had been stable since 1 pm the previous day and was now gradually receding. However, due to a decrease rate of only 0.1 meter, it would take a day for the water to recede. Atishi explained that the flooding in certain areas was caused by backflow from the overflowing drains rather than the rising river water. Pumping out the water was not feasible as the water level of the Yamuna river was already high.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted that Delhi would experience light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms for the next four to five days.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal assured that the Delhi government was taking all necessary measures to facilitate the drainage of water entering the capital.
Despite the receding water level of the Yamuna river, areas in ITO and Rajghat remained submerged due to damage to a regulator of the Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Department near Indraprastha. The situation was worsened by this damage.
The floodwaters even reached the Supreme Court, located in the Tilak Marg area of the city center.
Delhi cabinet minister Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that the government had instructed the chief secretary to prioritize and resolve the issue of the damaged regulator. Efforts were made overnight to repair the damage at the regulator near the WHO building. However, water was still entering the city through the breach.
The flooding in ITO and Rajghat resulted in traffic restrictions being imposed in those areas.
As the water level of the Yamuna river continued to exceed the danger mark, a total of 23,692 people were evacuated on Thursday from the nearby areas, as stated in an official statement.
