New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said it was unlikely the capital would be flooded but assured the government was prepared for all emergencies.
He, however, said water released by the Haryana government from the Hathnikund barrage in the upper catchment areas would deepen Delhi’s crisis. “Floods in Delhi are not dependent only on the rains,” the chief minister said.
“We will start evacuation from the banks of the Yamuna if the water crosses the 206 metre mark. We have identified 41,000 people at risk… If needed, we will take them to rehabilitation centres,” Kejriwal said.
He said 326 temporary pumps have been added to the public works department’s (PWD) 680 permanent ones which were working round the clock. “100 mobile pumps, which will move around vulnerable areas, are also in service,” he said, adding, the government would also fill up potholes with stone chips.
#WATCH | CM Arvind Kejriwal says flood-like situation unlikely in Delhi, government prepared. pic.twitter.com/T5bFdjLQD8
— ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2023
Meanwhile, the Yamuna crossed the warning mark of 204.5 metres in Delhi as Haryana released more water into the river from the Hathnikund barrage amid persistent rains Monday.
The water level is anticipated to rise to 205.5 metres between 10 am and 12 noon on Tuesday, crossing the danger mark of 205.33 metres, news agency PTI reported.
Earlier Monday, Delhi’s PWD Minister Atishi said that boats had been stationed with proper rescue equipment if water-logging got any worse. She said announcements were also being made to warn people.
In the last 36 hours alone – from 8.30 am on Saturday – the capital has recorded 260 mm of rainfall, which is over 30 per cent more than July’s usual quota of 195.8 mm.
Delhi issued a flood warning Sunday after Haryana released more than one lakh cusecs of water into the Yamuna from Hathnikund.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with senior ministers and officials and took stock of the situation as rains continued to lash several parts of the country, particularly North India.
Local administrations, national and state disaster response forces were working to ensure the well-being of those affected, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Also read: Atleast 22 killed in floods and landslides across states in northern India amid heavy rain