New Delhi

The flood scare is back in the Indian capital city of New Delhi as the water level in the Yamuna River was expected to breach the danger mark of 204.5 metres on Tuesday (Aug 13) evening. On Tuesday morning, the water level was recorded at 204.35 metres, according to the Central Water Commission (CWC). The CWC said in a statement that the rising level of water was a “steady trend” and asked people to stay alert until the level gets below the danger level.

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The statement warned there was a low possibility of a flood in the next few hours.

“Forecasted water level at 5pm on August 13, 2024, is expected to be 204.9m which is above warning level but below danger level,” CWC said in the statement. “...it is advised to keep a watch on the flood until the water level goes down below the warning level,” the statement added.

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Delhi’s Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj was expected to review the preparations by the authorities on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has initiated the process of setting up 32 online monitoring stations (OMLS) along the Yamuna and various open drains flowing into it. Palla, ISBT bridge, ITO bridge, Nizamuddin bridge, Okhla Barrage, Najafgarh drain, Metcalf House drain, Khyber Pass drain, and Sweeper Colony drain are some of the locations where these OMLS could be set up.

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Authorities are hopeful of preventing the flood disaster that struck the national capital the previous monsoon season. On July 13 last year, the water level reached a record 208.66 metres, way above the danger level. The water level rise caused a deluge in key areas surrounding New Delhi including parts of Civil Lines, Mukherjee Nagar, and ITO. A total of 28,000 people were displaced due to the flooding.

To prevent the catastrophe this year, authorities have removed the obstructions in the flow of the river, like the jammed gates of the ITO barrage.

(With inputs from agencies)