Above warning level, Yamuna inches closer to danger mark

Water level in Yamuna has been steadily rising since Monday, inching closer to the capital’s official danger mark of 205.33 metre.

At 5 am on Thursday, the river swelled and crossed the warning level of 204.5 metres, according to the Central Water Commission (CWC) data. Nearly 12 hours later, the river continued to spike with its level peaking at 205 metre at 4 pm.

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Officials from the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department attributed the rising Yamuna levels in Delhi to a cloudburst and heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand on August 4. According to the department, peak discharge from the Hathnikund Barrage reached over 61,000 cusecs at 6 am on Wednesday and dropped to around 45,000 cusecs by 1 am on Thursday, as told to The Statesman.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated parts of northwest India, including Uttarakhand, parts of Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab, until August 12.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control Parvesh Sahib Singh conducted an on-ground inspection on Thursday to assess the rising water level of the Yamuna River.

Speaking to the media during his visit, he said the situation was normal and under control, and assured that the department was fully prepared. “During this season, the Yamuna’s water level typically rises. The department is fully alert and active. The situation is completely under control,” he said.