WITH Yamuna levels rising to a record high, several key areas in Delhi including the Secretariat housing the Chief Minister’s office were flooded on Thursday, impairing normal life and traffic movement, as authorities scrambled to lead rescue and relief efforts. The Yamuna water level touched 208.53 metres at 10 am, breaking a 45-year-old record, officials said. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the closure of schools near the river and the shutting down of water treatment plants, as people waded through knee-deep waters in low-lying areas to reach safer places. Curbs were also placed for the entry of vehicles into the national capital. Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena will hold a special meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Thursday to discuss the flood situation in the city, officials said. Kejriwal, who is the vice-chairman of the DDMA, will also attend the meeting, they said.

 

The water level at the Old Railway Bridge crossed the 208-metre mark Wednesday night and rose to 208.48 metres by 8 am on Thursday. It is expected to rise further, according to the Central Water Commission, which has termed it an “extreme situation”. As the Yamuna swelled, Kejriwal announced the closure of private and Government schools in inundated areas. Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla water treatment plants were shut down, which could affect the water supply in the national capital. As woes of people mounted, he also urged MLAs, councillors, volunteers and others to reach relief camps and provide all possible support to people there. Areas like Boat Club, Pandav Nagar, some parts of Gandhi Nagar, Bhajanpura were inundated with floodwaters. According to officials, locals in some areas showed reluctance in moving out even as water reached their homes.

 

The Delhi Secretariat housing offices of Chief Minister Kejriwal, his cabinet and other senior bureaucrats, was too flooded on Thursday. According to officials from the Public Works Department, they received information regarding flooding of the Delhi Secretariat. They said they were coordinating with the traffic police and other agencies on the situation. The road from Rajghat to Delhi Secretariat was also flooded. Officials said the Ring Road stretch between Kashmere Gate and Purana Lohe Ka Pul has been flooded and closed for traffic movement. An order by the District Magistrate (East) said Shamshan Ghat in Geeta Colony has been closed due to the extreme rise in water levels. Visuals of people wading through knee-deep waters and carrying their belongings in low-lying areas were seen.