Delhi and several districts of Punjab on alert after heavy rainfall

Delhi and several districts of Punjab are on alert after water level of Yamuna comes closure to the warning level and excess water from Bhakra dam was released through the spill gates after heavy rainfall on Saturday.

Delhi agencies are closely monitoring the situation to deal with any possible flooding, an official said on Saturday.

According to the official, at around 4 pm on Saturday, Yamuna's water level reached 203.27 metres, slightly below the warning level of 204.5 metres.

The official said that at 10 am, over 21,000 cusecs water was released from Hathani Kund Barrage in Haryana. Besides, around 17,000 cusecs water was also released from the barrage.

"We have been closely monitoring the water level of Yamuna. Preparation are being made to deal with flood-like situation," the official said.

In July last year, traffic movement on Old Yamuna Bridge in Delhi had been closed for a few days after the water level breached the danger mark.

Last year, Yamuna's water level had reached 205.5 metres.

In Punjab, The Bhakra Beas Management Board authorities discharged 17,000 cusecs of excess water out of total release of 53,000 cusecs through the spill gates, an official said.

The remaining 36,000 cusecs was released after its use for power generation, he added.

The official said the situation is being monitored closely.

Bhakra dam on Saturday recorded a water level of 1,674.75 feet, which is around 60 feet more than the corresponding period last year. The maximum filling capacity of the reservoir is 1,680 feet.

The water inflow in Bhakra dam has been recorded at 59,000 cusecs, the official said.

Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan are the partnering states which meet their requirement for different purposes, including irrigation, from Bhakra and Pong dams. Both these were to be filled up to the level of 1,680 feet and 1,390 feet respectively by September.

On Saturday, rains lashed several places in Punjab, including Ludhiana, Amritsar, Mohali, Chandigarh.

An alert has already been sounded in several districts, including Rupnagar, Ludhiana, Ferozepur and downstream areas in the wake of release of excess water from Bhakra dam, the official said.

People living near the Sutlej river and low lying areas have been advised to be vigilant and take precautions to safeguard themselves.

There are reports of crops getting submerged in the water in some villages adjoining the Sutlej river in Anandpur Sahib of Rupnagar district due to the release of excess water and rainfall.

"An advisory has already been issued to people living near Sutlej river. The district authority is fully geared up to deal with any situation," Rupnagar Deputy Commissioner Sumeet Jarangal said.

The Punjab government had on Friday also issued an alert in the state after a forecast of heavy rainfall in the next 48 to 72 hours.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had directed the deputy commissioners across the state to stay vigilant in view of the MeT department's prediction and ensure the safety and security of the people.