'Evacuate, Don't Wait,' Kejriwal to people in low-lying areas as Yamuna level rises to 207.71m

New Delhi, July 12: Yamuna has reached a record level of 207.71 metres in Delhi, with floodwater entering the Ring Road in various locations, including Kashmiri Gate and Majnu ka Tila. The green belt along the Yamuna River's bank has been entirely flooded as the river's water level continues to increase. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged people living in low-lying areas to vacate their homes.

"I urge everyone living in low-lying areas to evacuate. Because the water level will rise suddenly and your life could be in danger," Kejriwal said during a media conference.

Delhi CM seeks Centre’s Intervention

Kejriwal also sought the central government to intervene in slowing the release of water from the Hathinikund barrage in Haryana. In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Kejriwal stated that despite "no rains in Delhi" in the last two days, the water level in the Yamuna is rising, citing "abnormally high volumes of water being released by Haryana at Hathnikund barrage."

Later in the press conference, Kejriwal stated that Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed him that the barrage lacks a reservoir to stop the water.

The previous greatest level in the Yamuna was recorded in 1978 at 207.49m, during a catastrophic flood situation in the national capital.

"According to the Central Water Commission's estimate, the level of the Yamuna will reach 207.72 metres tonight, which is very concerning," he added.

‘Not a good message for the world’

Noting that the G-20 Summit will be held in Delhi in a few weeks, Kejriwal added, "The news of flood in the country's capital will not send a good message to the world. Together we will have to save the people of Delhi from this situation.”

The flood situation in Delhi is expected to deteriorate, with the water level already hitting 207.71m at 4 pm.

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