The national capital is staring flood like situation after the release of 2.9 lakh cusec water from the Hathnikund Barrage following heavy rain in parts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, further delaying rehabilitation efforts in the flood-affected low-lying areas of Delhi.
The water level of the Yamuna in Delhi, which has been hovering around the danger mark of 205.33 metres for the last few days, dropped below the threshold again on Saturday morning. The Central Water Commission’s (CWC) data showed the water level dropped to 205.16 metres at 4 pm on Saturday. It may drop further before the impact of rain in upper catchment areas becomes clear. Giving a brief about the situation, Revenue Minister Atishi said, “According to the latest update from the Central Water Commission, there is a possibility that the Yamuna river may cross the danger level by tomorrow evening.”
Atishi also said that certain parts of Yamuna Khadar might face flooding if the water level rises to 206.7 metres. She assured that all necessary arrangements have been made to accommodate and support evacuees in a dignified manner.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rain in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand till July 25.
In Uttarakhand, Haripur (126.8 mm) and Haldwani (122 mm) reported very heavy rainfall, while Mussorrie (112mm), Chakrata (83 mm), Loharkhet (68 mm), Dunda (91 mm), Purola (90 mm), Mori (77 mm), Barkot (72 mm), Chinyalisaur (65 mm), Gairsain (85 mm), Berinag (95.6 mm), Didihat (79.8 mm) and Pithoragarh (76.3 mm) received heavy rainfall.
In Himachal Pradesh, Renuka/Dadhau (195 mm), Pachhad (103.3 mm) Nahan (91.4 mm), Chaupal (90 mm) Sundarnagar (87.7 mm), Mandi Solan (86 mm), Arki (70 mm) and Rohra (70 mm) recorded heavy to very heavy rainfall in 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Saturday. According to the CWC data, the flow rate at the Hathnikund Barrage crossed the 1 lakh-mark at 9 am and oscillated between 2 lakh and 2.5 lakh cusecs between 10 am and 4 pm. One cusec is equal to 28.32 litres per second.
“Discharge from Hathnikund Barrage remained above 2 lakh cusecs mark for seven hours after overnight rain in upper catchment areas of the Yamuna, with peak discharge being 2,51,987 cusecs recorded at 2 pm. This significant volume of water is expected to reach Delhi within 36 hours, posing a risk of mid-scale floods in the capital, which is still recuperating from one of the worst flood spells it experienced in the second week of July.
“The second spell of floods will likely see the Yamuna river reclaiming most of its floodplain in Delhi. Given the valuable insights gained from the last flood spell this month, city planners and policy makers must take note of the lessons learned. It is imperative for the relevant government departments to be on high alert and maintain internal coordination.
There have been marginal fluctuations in the water level over the last four to five days amid rain in the upper catchment areas, primarily in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Department officials said heavy rains upstream of Delhi will impact rehabilitation of the affected families in the inundated low-lying areas of the capital and they may have to stay in relief camps for a longer period.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, demanded the Delhi government to provide compensation of one lakh rupees per acre to the affected farmers.
“After contacting the farmers in these villages, it was found that their fields are still filled with 7 to 8 feet of water, leading to the destruction of their crops. The worst-hit villages include Ravta, Jhatikara, Khampur, Kharkhari, Malikpur, Palla, Majra Dabas, Jeendpur, Mukhmelpur, Singola, and Singhu, among others.
As of now, the government has not established any contact with these farmers, and there is no plan in place to drain the water from their fields. Their fields have transformed into vast lakes,” Bidhuri said.
