New Delhi- The water level in the Yamuna at Delhi's Old Railway Bridge remained at 207.46 metres. Officials said that the water level is expected to start receding gradually, although nearby areas and relief camps are being submerged due to flood water. According to official data, the water level was 207.46 metres till 11:00 am. Earlier, it was 207.48 metres between 6 am and 7 am.
The flood water has reached near the Delhi Secretariat, where the offices of the Chief Minister, cabinet ministers and top bureaucrats are located. Areas near Vasudev Ghat were also submerged. Some relief camps in low-lying areas like Mayur Vihar Phase-I were also submerged.
Math Bazaar and Yamuna Bazaar remained submerged. However, residents were hopeful that the water would recede and normalcy would be restored. The flood water also reached the Hanuman Baba temple at Sri Margat near Kashmiri Gate. “Every year when the water level in the Yamuna rises, it bathes the idol of Lord Hanuman. This is holy water. We respect it,” said a devotee. The Nigambodh Ghat was submerged on Wednesday, which halted work. The Geeta Colony crematorium was also submerged in water. However, the crematorium head Sanjay Sharma said that they have not stopped work. He claimed, “In 2023, water entered the crematorium and today it is again filled with about 10 feet of water. The damage is immense as all the wood stored outside has been destroyed. We are not getting any help from the administration.” He said that some crematoriums have already closed, so people from far-off places are coming to the Geeta Colony crematorium. "We are somehow arranging the funeral but only the road inside the crematorium is usable. At present, we are performing the cremation on the road but if the water level rises further, that too may be closed," he said.
It is a double whammy for Delhiites as incessant rains over the past few days have affected traffic due to waterlogging and flooding in the Yamuna. Heavy waterlogging was reported in Civil Lines near Chandgi Ram Akhara. Locals alleged that such waterlogging occurs every time it rains but the authorities have failed to improve the situation.
The flood control bulletin issued on Wednesday evening said that the Yamuna level at the old railway bridge will be 207.48 metres at 8 am and is likely to fall after that. The old railway bridge acts as a key observation point to monitor the river flow and potential flood risks. According to the Revenue Department, 8,018 people have been shifted to tents, while 2,030 have been shifted to 13 permanent shelters. The government said there is no need to panic and the situation is being monitored 24 hours a day.