Yamuna rises to a metre above danger mark

NEW DELHI: With Haryana releasing 80,000 cusec water today, the water level in the Yamuna here rose to 205.60 meters, nearly one metre above the danger mark, even as authorities evacuated more people from low-lying areas.

The water level in Yamuna crossed the danger mark of 204.83 metres yesterday and officials fear that the level may even raise up to 207 metres by this evening as Haryana has released nearly 9 lakh cusec water in the last three days.

The water level reached 205.60 metres at 9:00 am today, a senior Delhi Government official said, adding that all steps are being taken to evacuate people living in low-lying areas.

"Haryana released 80,000 cusec water this morning and the level of Yamuna is 205.60 metres now," he said.

The official said more people living in low-lying areas have been evacuated.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had yesterday said all measures have been taken to deal with the "serious" situation.

The water level in the river rose to 205.60 metres this morning from 205.09 metres last night.

Although Haryana released nearly nine lakh cusec of water in last three days, officials say only 3.5 lakh cusec are expected to reach Delhi.

Flood Control Minister Raj Kumar Chouhan has said over 100 booster pumps were fitted along the banks of the river to pump out water which may enter the low-lying areas.

Last month too, the water level in the Yamuna rose above the danger level, prompting authorities to shift a large number of people to relief camps.