‘High flood’ alert as Yamuna in spate

Shiv Kumar Sharma

Tribune News Service

Yamunanagar, August 18

Breaking all records, water level in the Yamuna river rose to 8,28,072 cusecs at the Hathni Kund barrage in the district at 6 pm on Sunday.

This level is categorised as a “high flood” situation, officials said.

The previous highest level was 8,06,464 cusecs recorded on June 17, 2013.

Water is likely to reach Delhi by Wednesday noon (in 72 hours), posing a threat of floods in the national capital.

Deputy Commissioner Mukul Kumar said the district administration had sounded high alert.

At 5 am, the water level was recorded at 62,890 cusecs. By evening, it rose to 8,28,072 cusecs.

“A portion of Lapra village has been submerged. The administration has asked people to evacuate their houses. We have deployed officials in the village to keep track of the situation,” the DC said.

Pobari village has been cut off from neighbouring villages.

Haridev Kamboj, Executive Engineer (XEN), Water Services Division, Dadupur, said: “Water discharge normally takes 72 hours to reach Delhi from the Hathni Kund barrage. When the Yamuna enters Delhi, the water level is more that what is recorded at the Hathni Kund barrage as seasonal rivulets empties into the Yamuna downstream of the Hathni Kund barrage.”