In response to the escalating waterlogging crisis caused by the rising Yamuna River, the Delhi government has announced the closure of all schools and colleges until Sunday.
The river has surged to an alarming height of 208.48 meters, inundating streets, public infrastructure, and private properties across several parts of the national capital.
With the situation deteriorating rapidly, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has appealed to the central government for intervention, while the city police have imposed prohibitory orders in flood-prone areas.
The water level of the Yamuna River reached the critical mark of 208.48 meters at 8 am today, as the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana continues to discharge water into the river.
The subsequent flooding has posed severe challenges for the residents and authorities alike, with submerged roads and disrupted transportation hampering daily life.
Among the immediate concerns stemming from the deluge is the impact on Delhi’s drinking water supply. As a result of the rising Yamuna levels, three water treatment plants have been forced to shut down temporarily.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal personally inspected the Wazirabad plant located along the river’s banks and assured the public that operations would resume promptly once normalcy is restored.
The closure of water treatment plants raises concerns about the availability of clean and safe drinking water for Delhi’s inhabitants. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are actively working to mitigate the effects of the waterlogging crisis on the city’s infrastructure.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called upon the central government to step in and provide assistance in tackling the alarming situation. Immediate relief measures, such as evacuation efforts and the provision of essential supplies to affected areas, are desperately required to alleviate the suffering of residents affected by the floods.
The Delhi police, in collaboration with local authorities, have implemented prohibitory orders in flood-prone regions to ensure the safety and security of the public.
On Thursday, officials announced that in response to the rising water levels in the Yamuna River, twelve teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Delhi.
As a precautionary measure due to the rising water level of the Yamuna, Delhi Metro trains are crossing the four bridges over the river at a reduced speed of 30 kmph, according to an announcement by the DMRC on Thursday. The Yamuna River has exceeded the danger mark and has surpassed the previous record set in 1978, leading to the flooding of low-lying areas near its banks.
