By IANS,
New Delhi : The rain-swollen Yamuna river is flowing very near the danger mark and could flood low-lying areas along its banks here Sunday, an official said Saturday.
“The water level had reached 204.80 metres Saturday evening – very near the danger mark of 204.83 metres. It is expected to cross the 205 mark by Sunday afternoon,” an official of the flood control department told IANS.
The water level crossed 204 metres Saturday, prompting the flood control room to sound an alert.
“Civic agencies have been told to evacuate people from low-lying areas,” said a Delhi government official.
A flood warning was sounded in the capital Friday after continuous rainfall pushed up the Yamuna level. Haryana also released over 400,000 cusecs of water into the river upstream.
Last year, the water level reached 206 metres, leading to the evacuation of people from slum clusters along the river bank.
The Delhi government says it is fully prepared to tackle any situation.
“We have boats for rescue operations. Relief camps are also being set up in various areas. All the necessary arrangements have been taken care of. Delhi has thousands of people living in low-lying areas near the Yamuna,” said a Delhi government official.
However, those living near the river denied that any relief measures had been undertaken.
“Police informed us of the situation yesterday (Friday) and asked us to move out. However, the government has not done anything for us. There are no boats, there is nothing for us,” said Ratiram, who lives near the riverbank.