Delhi Flood: Sub-branch of Munak Canal breaks, flooding residential areas in North Delhi

Delhi, which not so long ago was facing a water crisis, is now facing flood like situation after a sub-branch of the Munak Canal sustained a breach, causing floods in the Bawana region of North Delhi. This canal, part of the Western Yamuna Canal, experienced a rupture in its Career Lined Channel (CLC), which led to water inundating the surrounding areas.

Taking to X, Delhi's Water Minister Atishi said, "Today early morning, there has been a breach in one of the sub-branches of Munak Canal. Delhi Jal Board is working in close coordination with the Haryana Irrigation Department, who maintain the Munak Canal. Water has been diverted to the other sub-branch of the canal. Repair work has already started and will be completed by this afternoon. The breached sub-branch of the canal will be functional from tomorrow."

Delhi Flood Control Minister and Aam Aadmi Party Leader Saurabh Bharadwaj visited the site to inspect the situation and instructed the Chief Engineer of the Flood Department to provide assistance to the Delhi Jal Board. Bharadwaj said they received information about the breach during the night and were taking prompt action.



"CLC (career lined channel) comes into Bawana that carries water from Haryana. We got this information about the embankment being broken in the night. Delhi Jal Board officials are there. I have asked the chief engineer of the Flood Department to go there and if the Flood Department can help the Jal Board in any way, we will do that," Bharadwaj said.

Local resident Alam from JJ Colony expressed frustration over the administration's response, noting that the water had already flooded most blocks of the colony while little was being done to manage the flow effectively.

"Water has entered almost every block of the JJ Colony. The barrage of the Munak canal broke at approximately midnight. The administration, especially the irrigation department, isn't making enough effort to stop the flow... The local leader came to see, but nothing has happened so far that should have been," he said.

Bharadwaj also emphasized the preparedness of the Flood Department for such incidents, citing new machinery and a rock embankment as preventative measures to protect the city from potential flooding of the Yamuna River.

"Last time, the level of Yamuna rose so much that it broke the barrage here and entered the city. The flood department is prepared well this year. New machinery is being put up, and an embankment of rocks is there that is 5 metres wide... I hope that the water of Yamuna won't enter the city this year," he said.

With ANI Inputs