Flood threat looms large as Yamuna rises (The Hindu 17 August 2011)

Fears of a heavy flood are back to haunt the Capital as a large quantum of water released from Haryana is expected to reach the city over the next 40 hours. The water level in the rain-fed Yamuna has been rising over the past 48 hours and has come close to the warning mark.
On Tuesday, Delhi Revenue Minister Dr. A. K. Walia confirmed that a large quantity of water has been released from Hathini Kund in Haryana which is likely to cause a “serious flood-like situation”. The Government has begun the process of issuing warning and setting up tents to accommodate the people who will be evacuated from the affected areas.
Heavy rain in the upper reaches of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh has caused the river to swell and at 6 p.m. the river was flowing at 203.58 mts., a little below the danger mark of 204.83 mts.
According to the Delhi Government officials, water discharge from Hathini Kund has progressively increased through the day beginning at around 2,19,649 cusec and going up to 6,41,462 cusec at about 6 p.m. This is the fourth year in a row since 2008 when the city has to tackle high floods.
Gearing up to meet the flood-threat, the Government has begun issuing warnings to people settled along the riverbed and low-lying areas and will soon begin work of evacuation.
Dr. Walia chaired a meeting of all the departments concerned to take stock of the preparations. “The Minister was apprised that warnings are being issued in the low-lying areas and preparations for evacuation are being made. The Irrigation and Flood Control department has begun the process of creating safe zones for the residents who will be evacuated,” said an official.
Dr. Walia said the river is expected to cross the danger level and may touch 206.0 mts. resulting in floods. In 1978, the level reached 207.49 mts. (the highest so far) and in 1998 it touched 206.92 mtrs.
Officials pointed out that the discharge of around 6,22,000 cusec of water will result in a situation where the Yamuna bed, which is in between the left marginal and right marginal bund area and meant to hold additional water during monsoons, will get flooded.
“Irrigation and Flood Department control rooms are also working all along the marginal bunds on both sides of Yamuna and are ready with men and material to address any eventuality or any kind of breach,” said an official.
Deputy Commissioners of North-East, North, Central, East, South and North-West have been alerted to get the low-lying areas along the river bed evacuated. Necessary rehabilitation arrangements like proper tents, food, drinking water, medical facilities and sanitation will be arranged by the DCs concerned, the official added.
Tents are being pitched at Usmanpur, Garhi Mandu, Badarpur Khadar, ISBT Bridge, Shastri Park (Red Light), Old Yamuna Bridge (North Side), Opposite Chilla Gaon including DND, Chilla, Mayur Vihar-I, Opposite Shakarpur Thana, Near Akshardham Temple, Old Yamuna Bridge (South Side), Shamshan Ghat Geeta Colony, Thokar 19 & 20, Okhla, Batla House, Jamna Bazar and Jagatpur.
Sixteen boats from the Boat Club [DC (East)] and 40 boats of Irrigation and Flood Control Department are ready to be pressed into service.
There are also 55 divers/boatmen to help in rescue operations.