'Yamuna Below Danger Level': Delhi CM Kejriwal As Heavy Rains Lash Capital

The government has directed the NDMC to study the situation and create a plan to prevent future occurrences.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal 

(Photo: PTI/Altered by The Quint)

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held a meeting on Monday, 10 July to discuss heavy rains and rising Yamuna River water levels.

The discussion was focused on emergency measures in response to the torrential rain across Northern India.

The Delhi government issued its first flood alert on Sunday, 10 July.

Kejriwal stated that the city is not experiencing a flood-like situation as the water level in the Yamuna is below the danger level.

Despite the release of three lakh cusecs of water from the Hathnikund Barrage, the city is prepared to handle such a situation, he added.

'We Should Work Together': Delhi CM

Kejriwal also called for cooperation among state governments and party leaders to provide relief during this challenging time.

"This is not the time to point fingers at each other. I believe that all state governments in Northern India are working to help their people. All parties and governments should work together to provide relief to the people. I would like to express my gratitude to MLAs, councillors, and ministers from all parties who were on the ground in Delhi during this rainy season, providing relief to the people."

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

The capital experienced 153 mm of rain on 8 and 9 July, breaking a 40-year record, Kejriwal said adding that, "The drainage system in Delhi was not equipped to handle such heavy rainfall."

On 9 July, 45,000 cusecs of water were released into the Yamuna, and an additional three lakh cusecs were released. The Central Water Commission (CWC) assessed the current water level at 203.58 metres, which is expected to rise to 205.5 metres by tomorrow morning. Weather predictions predict no further increase in the Yamuna, he stated.

"Experts say that there will not be any flood-like situations. However, we are prepared if it does happen. If the water level rises to 206 meters, we will initiate evacuation. We have identified 41,000 people living in the nearby areas of the Yamuna riverbank, and we have established relief camps for them," CM Kejriwal said.

Talking about potholes caused by rains, Kejriwal said that repairs are not yet possible, but the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and PWD have been instructed to fill potholes with stones to prevent accidents. Drains and sewers have been opened at construction sites, Kejriwal stated.