Flood threat looms large

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Keeping in view the rising water level in Yamuna due to incessant rains and release of water by Haryana, the Delhi government on Monday started evacuating people living in low-lying areas along the river.
Chief secretary D.M. Spolia directed the revenue department to complete the evacuation of people by 12 noon Tuesday and gear up its machinery to meet any eventuality. Mr Spolia said eight lakh cusecs of excess water released by Haryana has into Yamuna from the Hathnikund barrage near Yamunanagar on Monday morning is expected to reach Delhi in the next 36 hours.
He issued directions to all concerned departments and agencies to ensure proper coordination as threat of flood is looming large over low-lying areas along the Yamuna.
The meeting was attended by commissioner of three municipal corporations, officials of DDA, irrigation and flood control department, Delhi police and Delhi International Airport Ltd.
The Chief Secretary said he has asked the revenue department to set up relief camps mid night tonight to provide shelter to the affected people.
In the meeting, Spolia categorically told the agencies that the government would not tolerate any shifting of responsibilities and instructed them to work in close cooperation with each other. He also told the agencies to submit daily report to him on status of flood by 6.30 pm.
Officials said Mr Spolia also instructed flood control department to review strength of Eastern Yamuna Bandh.
The Delhi traffic police informed that there had been water logging at 50 places which affected flow of traffic.
To deal with the problem of water logging, Spolia has given “blanket permission” to procure additional pumping sets by the agencies concerned.
“Different agencies have nominated their teams to take care of all 153 water logging points and nodal officers have been appointed accordingly,” he said.
While referring to the water logging at the airport yesterday, Mr Spolia said PWD and DIAL will undertake a joint inspection to deal with the problem.
Delhi Police has also been asked to submit a daily report and keep a close eye on the functioning of traffic signals.
Meanwhile, PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chouhan has directed seniors officials of the department to immediately repair the roads damaged by water logging.
The PWD has also started a monsoon control room (1800-11-00-93) at its head-quarters in ITO.
The agency has also deployed 72 maintenance vans across the city to clear blockages in major drains to drain out water.