After over a week of deluge, with the Yamuna overflowing its banks throwing lives out of gear, water has slowly started to recede on Saturday morning. However, heavy waterlogging continues in most areas, with key roads and localities inundated.
Severe waterlogging continued in various parts of the city including areas near the Bela Road in Delhi's Civil Lines, ITO, Shanti Van and Yamuna Bazaar.
According to the Central Water Commission's (CWC) flood-monitoring portal, the river water level is likely to decline in the coming days. The water level stood at 207.62 metres at 7 am on Saturday from its peak at 208.66 metres at 8 pm on Thursday.
Flooded Rajghat | Sanjay Ahlawat
Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted moderate rain in the city for the next two days. IMD issued yellow alert for Delhi on Saturday. Experts are of the opinion that if the rain lashes the city, it could worsen the situation with water level increasing further submerging the city.
Though Yamuna is receding, it is still flowing over two metres above the danger mark of 205.33 metres. Further decline in the water level is expected with the flow rate from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana's Yamunanagar decreasing.
A senior official with the CWC told PTI that encroachments and siltation was the main reason for Delhi flooding. "Earlier, the water would have more space to flow. Now, it passes through a constricted cross-section," he said.
"More than 25 bridges within the 22-km river stretch from Wazirabad to Okhla obstruct the flow, leading to deposition of silt in the riverbed and formation of a lot of mid-stream sandbars," Bhim Singh Rawat, associate coordinator, South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers, People (SANDRP) was quoted by PTI.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel distribute relief material to flood affected people stuck in a low lying area around the river Yamuna in New Delhi | AP
IMD has forecasted 'heavy to very heavy' rainfall over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh during the next five days.
The heavy rains in the upper catchment areas including Himachal, and Uttarakhand had paved way for the Yamuna to flow in record rate wreaking havoc in the regions.
On Friday, the Yamuna river water had flooded areas near the Supreme Court, Rajghat and ITO. The river water had also inundated areas near the Red Fort and Kashmere Gate bus terminal.
DMRC restores normal speed
Delhi Metro trains are now crossing the four Yamuna bridges at normal speed with the water receding.
"Speed restriction imposed while crossing Metro bridges over Yamuna has been removed. All trains are running at normal speed now," the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said in a tweet.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called in the Army to assist them in the flood situation as the damaged regulator at drain no.12 inundated key roads and residential areas.
Over 4,000 traffic personnel have been deployed in affected areas to manage the traffic.
Kejriwal said that the efforts are being made to open the five gates of Yamuna Barrage so that the water flows back to the barrage. "The first jammed gate of the ITO Barrage has been opened," he said.
Earlier, Kejriwal announced that if water declines to 207. 7 metres then the water treatment plants at Wazirabad and Chandrawal will start functioning.
Due to flooding three water treatment plants were temporarily shut. Among the three plants, the Okhla unit started functioning.
CM assured the public that with the assistance of the Navy and Army personnel the government is actively engaged in efforts to reduce the flooding.
He also added that the situation would improve in two days if it does not rain.
Over 23,000 people were evacuated from their home in the wake of the deluge. Meanwhile, three kids drowned in floodwaters on Friday in northwest Delhi's Mukundpur area.
“It's unfortunate that Delhi is flooded today. This situation doesn't come as a surprise to me as the present government has not spent any money on building infrastructure in the city. CM had promised to make Delhi a world-class city,” said Gautam Gambhir, BJP MP from East Delhi was quoted by ANI.
Severe waterlogging due to heavy rains occurred from July 8. An all-time record of 207.49 metres in 1978 was crossed on Thursday with water level reacging 208.66 metres. Delhi Police imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in flood-prone areas to prevent public movement there.
