Delhi Govt on High Alert Due to Surge in Discharge of Water from Hathnikund Barrage into Yamuna, Says Atishi

Revenue Minister Atishi on Saturday said the Delhi government is on high alert due to the discharge of more than 2,000 cups of water from the Hatnikund Dam into the Yamuna River.

It said in a statement that some parts of the Yamuna Khadr (floodplain) could be flooded if the water level in the river rose to 206.7 metres, but the government was ready to evacuate.

According to Central Water Commission (CWC) data, the flow rate at Hathnikund Barrage located in Yamunanagar crossed the 1 lakh mark at 9 am and fluctuated between 2 lakh and 2.5 lakh cusecs between 10 am and 4 pm.

Heavy to very heavy rains have been forecast by the Indian Meteorological Department in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand until July 25.

Atechi said that a “caller” is being announced in vulnerable areas to inform residents of the danger of flooding. Relief camps were inspected and preparations were made for the people to stay there.

The minister said that the Delhi government is on high alert due to the discharge of more than 2 lakh cups of water from the Hatnikund Dam into the Yamuna River.

“The situation has raised concerns, prompting the government to take proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of residents,” she added.

Atichi said that Prime Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been watching developments closely and overseeing response efforts.

She said the Department of Revenue has taken extensive action to effectively address the situation.

“Whether it is the central region, the eastern region, or regions such as Yamuna Bazar and Yamuna Khidr, we have made sufficient preparations to face any challenges that may arise,” she said.

The Delhi government is appealing to the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with the authorities during this critical time. The minister said updates and guidance will be provided on a regular basis to keep residents informed of the situation.

Parts of Delhi have been experiencing waterlogging and flooding for more than a week now. Initially, heavy rains caused severe waterlogging on July 8 and 9, with the city receiving 125 percent of its monthly rain quota in just two days.

Then, heavy rains in the upper catchment areas of Yamuna, including in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana, swelled the river to a record high of 208.66 meters on July 13.

(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)