In a major relief to the inhabitants of the low-lying areas in the Yamuna catchment, the water level in the river — which had scaled above the danger mark on Tuesday reaching its zenith, highest in last five years — started receding gradually on Wednesday.
An official of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department said the level dropped to 204.80 metres around 4 pm on Wednesday and will continue to recede. Till 4 pm, 4,000 cusec water was released by the Hathni Kund Barrage.
With this, thousands of people who had taken shelter school compounds and makeshift tents at safer location are expected to return.
The overflowing water of the Yamuna entered some houses in low-lying areas of Burari in north Delhi on Tuesday, officials said.
As many as 15 people who were stranded in flood waters were rescued from the area on Tuesday. So far, a total of 13,915 people have been moved to safer places due to the rising water levels. They have been accommodated in 1,461 tents and temporary shelters, where they are being provided food and medical help.
At 8 pm on Tuesday, the Yamuna River was flowing at 206.05 metres at Old Yamuna Bridge which was closed for vehicular traffic. With river playing havoc, threatening the life of thousands who reside in Yamuna basin of Delhi, the authorities pulled up their socks with rescue and relief operation in full swing and National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) on standby.
Many among those living in low lying areas refused to leave their houses and shanties with their belongings despite authorities persuading them to move to safer places. Delhi Government has provided safer places and three time food to all the affected people. However despite all the facilities, many among them, mostly farmers and cattle grazers, living in the low-lying areas of the floodplain, such as Yamuna Bazar opposite Hanuma Mandir, ITO and Wazirabad, were not willing to move out and preferred to stay there, fearing that they may lose their homes.
As many as 15 people, who were stranded in flood waters, were rescued from the area on Tuesday. So far, a total of 13,915 people have been moved to safer places due to the rising water levels. They have been accommodated in 1,461 tents and temporary shelters, where they are being provided food and medical help, a Delhi Government official said.