Yamuna Water Level Alert In Delhi: Set To Surge Beyond Warning Mark

The Central Water Commission forecasts the Yamuna water level in Delhi to exceed the warning mark by 5 pm on Tuesday, reaching 204.90 metres but staying below the danger level of 205.33 metres. Officials urge vigilance and review flood control measures.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) has indicated that the Yamuna water level in Delhi is anticipated to surpass the warning mark of 204.50 metres, reaching 204.90 metres by 5 pm on Tuesday.

However, it is expected to remain below the danger level of 205.33 metres.

Photo Credit: PTI

As of 9 am, the river was flowing at 204.35 metres, just 0.15 metres shy of the warning level at the Old Railway Bridge station. The water level had risen significantly from Sunday, increasing by over 1.47 metres from 202.82 metres to 204.29 metres.

Steady Rise in Water Levels

The CWC has described this increase as a "steady trend" and advised people to stay alert until the water recedes below the warning level. The commission stated, "Forecasted water level at 5 pm on August 13, 2024, is expected to be 204.9m which is above warning level but below danger level." They also mentioned that there is a low possibility of flooding in the coming hours.

Saurabh Bharadwaj, the irrigation and flood control minister, was scheduled to review flood control measures at the Boat Club near Metcalf House on Tuesday.

Historical Context and Flood Mechanism

On July 13 last year, Yamuna's water level reached an unprecedented peak of 208.66 metres, far exceeding the danger mark and inundating significant areas around New Delhi such as Civil Lines, Mukherjee Nagar, and ITO. This flooding disrupted normal life for nearly a week and displaced over 28,000 people due to heavy discharge from Hathnikund Barrage following intense rainfall in upstream regions.

The government has implemented a flood warning system where district-level committees monitor their areas if over one lakh cusecs of water are released from the barrage. It typically takes between 36 to 72 hours for this water to reach Delhi.

The Yamuna enters Delhi from Palla in the north and exits from Jaitpur in the south.

The CWC's advisory underscores the importance of vigilance during this period of rising water levels to mitigate potential risks and ensure public safety.