16,000 evacuated from Delhi slums
as Yamuna rises above danger mark
More than 16,000 people were evacuated as the flood in the capital worsened today with the Yamuna flowing more than a metre above the danger mark of 204.83 metres.
Delhi Chief Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters that the water level had stabilised at 205.90m and there has been a very slow increase in the level since. "So far 3,225 families (about 16,000 people) have been evacuated and put in tents. About 750 more families may have to be shifted to safer places," she said.
Swaraj said the water level would reach its peak at 206m at 8 tonight. She said she would visit Sonia Vihar with Lieutenant Governor Vijai Kapoor at that time.
The chief minister said the flood-control department was geared to meet any eventuality. "All vulnerable points have been plugged to prevent any breaches," she said.
Flood-control department officials said that after reaching its peak at 8 pm, the water level would start receding "as no fresh discharge is forecast from Tajewala near the Delhi-Haryana border".
Swaraj denied that the Haryana government had forewarned Delhi about the release of water. "It is absolutely not true,'' she said.
UNI
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