Delhi Flood: Numerous areas in the city are currently grappling with floods and water-logging. The water level of the Yamuna River, which had risen due to heavy rainfall and the release of water from Hathnikund Barrage, stabilized between 6-8pm and began to decrease by 10pm.
A group of individuals navigate through a flooded area as the overflowing water from the Yamuna River reaches the low-lying regions near Mayur Vihar Phase-1 in New Delhi on Thursday.
Delhi Flood: The water level of the Yamuna River reached 208.48 meters at 8 am today, according to the Central Water Commission. Due to the flood-like situation, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has announced the closure of 10 schools in low-lying areas of Delhi’s Civil Lines zone and 7 schools in Shahadra.
Numerous areas of the city are currently grappling with floods and water-logging as the water level of the Yamuna River continues to rise, triggered by heavy rainfall and the release of water from Hathnikund Barrage.
Central Delhi faces traffic chaos as Yamuna floodwaters inundate the area
Delhi is experiencing severe flooding, resulting in major disruptions to vehicular movement and prolonged traffic jams in central areas like ITO intersection and Rajghat. Commuters have been stranded for hours due to the rising floodwaters from the Yamuna River.
The Delhi Traffic Police issued an alert advising people to plan their journeys considering the flood-like situation prevalent in various parts of the city. In a tweet, they announced the closure of the road from Geeta Colony to Shanti Van and vice versa due to waterlogging. The public was urged to avoid this route and make alternate travel arrangements.
Officials have also restricted the traffic flow from Shanti Van towards Geeta Colony Flyover, citing the increasing water levels of the Yamuna River as the reason for the restrictions.
Traffic disruptions and waterlogging persist in various parts of Delhi
Despite the water level of the Yamuna River gradually receding in Delhi on Friday, several areas of the city continue to face waterlogging and flooding, leading to difficulties for commuters.
At ITO road, commuters were observed pushing their motorcycles through the water, while a significant traffic jam occurred at NH-24 near Sarai Kale Khan T-Junction.
Although the water level at the Old Railway Bridge (ORB) on the Yamuna River decreased slightly from 208.40 meters at 9 am to 208.38 meters at 10 am, certain areas still experience high water levels.
Speaking about the flood situation, Surender Singh Yadav, Special CP Traffic, mentioned that 4,500 police personnel have been deployed throughout Delhi, with monitoring of the Kawariyas’ movements. Water levels have reduced in areas like Kashmiri Gate, but the Ring Road area towards Wazirabad remains flooded. Efforts are being made to open Bhairon Marg by evening, and traffic congestion is anticipated on NH 44.
Waterlogging forces closure of roads between Geeta Colony and Shanti Van
Due to the extensive waterlogging caused by the Delhi floods, the roads connecting Geeta Colony and Shanti Van in both directions have been closed, as announced by the Delhi police in a tweet on Friday.
Delhi LG and Arvind Kejriwal address the media after inspecting Vikas Bhawan, ITO
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held a press briefing after inspecting the site at Vikas Bhawan, ITO, where a drain regulator was damaged.
During the briefing, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj expressed his disappointment, stating that he had made several requests to different officers last night to call the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), but they did not respond promptly, resulting in delayed assistance.
Bharadwaj thanked the NDRF for their current presence but expressed that their early arrival would have been more beneficial.
In response, the LG emphasized the need for teamwork and urged against blaming or making unnecessary comments during this critical time. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and stated that there was no need for further discussion at this moment.
Traffic advisory: Restrictions on IP Road in both directions
Due to the overflow of sewer water near IP flyover, traffic movement on IP Road is currently restricted in both directions. The restrictions apply from under IP flyover to W point and vice versa.
Commuters are advised to seek alternate routes and avoid this stretch of IP Road.
Arvind Kejriwal instructs officials to seek assistance from the Army and NDRF
In the latest update on the Delhi floods, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Revenue Minister Atishi have directed the chief secretary to seek help from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Army to prevent further flooding in Delhi following the damage to the regulator.
Kejriwal will personally visit the site to assess the situation and take necessary action.
Kejriwal expressed his concerns on Twitter, stating, “This breach is causing flooding of ITO and the surrounding areas. Engineers have been working tirelessly. I have directed the Chief Secretary to urgently seek assistance from the Army/NDRF to address this issue.”
In an official communication, Atishi mentioned that despite the efforts of the Irrigation and Flood Control team to build a weir at a drain, water is still entering the city.
She further added, “If required, all engineering units of the NDRF and the Army should be requested to assist in this matter. The Chief Secretary has been instructed to provide hourly reports to the Chief Minister, the Minister of Irrigation and Flood Control, and the Revenue Minister.”
