Delhi: Yamuna water level recedes; slightly above the warning mark

New Delhi: The water level on the Yamuna river in Delhi receded slightly but was still above the warning mark of 204.5 metres, officials said on Thursday.

The Delhi government's flood control room said the water level on the river dipped from 204.89 metres at 7 am on Wednesday to 204.66 metres at 8 am on Thursday.

A forecast from the Central Water Commission said the water level is likely to drop to 204.5 metres by 5 pm.

The river had breached the danger mark of 205.33 metres on Friday last, prompting authorities to evacuate around 7,000 people from low-lying areas. The water level had receded below the warning mark on Monday and stood at 203.96 metres at 6 pm on Tuesday.

Also Read | Yamuna crosses danger level

However, it again crossed the warning mark on Tuesday night with Haryana releasing more water from the Hathnikund barrage amid rains in the upper catchment areas.

Also Read: River Yamuna crosses warning mark, likely to swell further

Officials said they are keeping a close watch on the situation as more rains are likely in upper catchment areas of the river.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said widespread rainfall "with isolated heavy falls" is very likely over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand over the next two-three days.

Also Read | Delhi: Toxic foam in Yamuna raises pollution concerns ahead of Chhath Puja

The catchment of the Yamuna river system covers parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.

Last week, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to people to avoid going towards the banks of the river.

A flood alert is declared in Delhi when the discharge rate from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana's Yamuna Nagar crosses the one lakh-cusecs mark and people living near the floodplains and in flood-prone areas are evacuated. (PTI)

• #Yamuna
• #Yamuna River
• #Delhi
• #Central Water Commission
• #Yamuna Warning Mark