Evacuation begins as Yamuna rises above danger mark in Delhi

Authorities on Tuesday started evacuating people living in the low-lying areas, near the banks of river Yamuna, in New Delhi with the water level in the river rising to 206.18 metres much above the danger mark of 205.33 metres and the highest this year, following incessant rains in the upper catchment areas.

Authorities started evacuating people living in the low-lying areas near the Yamuna banks in Delhi with the water level in the river rising to 206.18 metres, much above the danger mark of 205.33 metres and the highest this year, following incessant rains. Credit: PTI Photo

The low-lying areas near the river in Delhi are considered vulnerable to flooding. They are home to around 37,000 people. Credit: PTI Photo

This is the second time within two months that the authorities are evacuating the people living in the river floodplains due to flooding. Credit: PTI Photo

The Yamuna had breached the danger mark of 205.33 metres on August 12, following which around 7,000 people were evacuated from the low-lying areas near the riverbanks. Credit: PTI Photo

The Delhi flood control room said the water level at the Old Delhi Railway Bridge crossed the evacuation level of 206 metres at 5.45 am on September 27. The river swelled to 206.18 metres by 9 am. It predicted that the water level may increase to 206.5 metres between 3 pm and 5 pm. Credit: PTI Photo

Incessant rains have battered parts of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and north Uttar Pradesh over the last few days. Delhi also recorded a four-day long rain spell starting September 21. Credit: PTI Photo

Last year, the Yamuna river breached the danger mark on July 30 and the water level at the Old Railway Bridge rose to 205.59 metres. Credit: PTI Photo