Delhi witnesses its worst floods in 32 years with over 9 lakh cusecs of water being released from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana. The Yamuna has crossed the danger mark of 204.83 metres and is feared to rise further.

While over 6 lakh cusecs were released on Wednesday evening, over 2.4 lakh cusecs were discharged on Thursday morning. By afternoon, another 70,000 cusecs were released.

Delhi Irrigation and PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan, who took stock of the situation at an emergency meeting, said the government was extremely concerned. He said all possible steps were being taken.

The Delhi government has issued a warning to evacuate several low-lying areas. Among the areas that could be affected are Usmanpur, Model Town, Garhi Mandu, Kashmere Gate, ISBT, Yamuna Pushta, Mayur Vihar, Okhla and Jamia Nagar.

andbags and over a hundred pumps are being put in place to tackle the expected rise in the Yamuna's level. The threat is more serious because the river's depth and breadth in Delhi allows only 2 lakh cusecs to be released into it.

"The situation is very bad. Our crops have been destroyed," said a man.

Another said: "The river has been rising constantly. We are in great difficulty."

Officials in Haryana said heavy rains in the catchment areas forced them to release water from the Hathnikund barrage in Yamunanagar.

Yamunanagar itself has been affected, with the flood waters entering 65 villages and leaving people stranded. The army has been called in to assist in rescue and relief.

Another 85 villages around the Hathinikund barrage are facing an immediate threat of flooding. The administration of Faridabad near Delhi too sounded a flood alert in 20 villages along the Yamuna.

Delhi's all-time flood record dates back to 1978 when more than 7 lakh cusecs of water released from the barrage swamped Delhi. The water level had risen to 207.49 metres that year.

Source : India Today

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