Yamuna above danger mark, but nothing to fear (Indian Express 10 September 2010)

The Yamuna is swelling up again. While 6.07 lakh cusecs of water was released from the Hathnikund barrage and was headed for Delhi, the Som river in the passage of Yamuna to Delhi is also carrying over 1 lakh cusecs of water. The water is likely to reach Delhi by 4 pm on Friday, and the river level is likely to touch the mark of 206.35 metres, 1.52 metres above the danger mark.
This water level will be a 32-year record. In 1978, when seven lakh cusecs of water was released into the river, the low-lying areas of Delhi had flooded, together with localities in North and East Delhi close to the river's floodplains. That year also saw the highest ever water level at 207.49 metres.
"The river flowed 23 cm above the danger level at 205.06 metres on Thursday evening. The water flow in the river is showing a rising trend, which would continue for the next three days before becoming constant. The river is likely to touch the mark of 206.35 metres by 4 pm on Friday," said V P S Tomar, Chief Engineer of the Flood Control Department.
Tomar, however, added that there was no need to panic or fear. "The flood-prone areas were evacuated in August-end itself when the Yamuna levels were rising, and the residents from these areas are already staying in camps. The department is maintaining a strict vigil to ensure nobody goes back to the affected areas," he said.
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said all measures have been taken to deal with the "serious" situation.