As Yamuna swells in Haryana, authorities fear flood situation in Delhi

Shiv Kumar Sharma
Tribune News Service
Yamunanagar, August 18

Water levels of Yamuna rose dangerously at Hathnikund barrage in Yamunanagar on Sunday—setting off alarm bells of the swollen river waters reaching Delhi within hours.   

Water levels at the barrage went from 2.56 lakh cusecs at 8 am to 5.93 lakh cusecs by 12 pm, a dangerous rise that prompted authorities to issue a warning asking people to stay away from river banks.

Dadupur Water Services Division Executive Engineer (XEN) Haridev Kamboj says that water level up to 70,000 cusecs is considered normal for Hathnikund Barrage. Water over 2.5 lakh cusecs is considered high floods.

Administration fears that the rising water levels could soon reach the national capital.

“The water discharge normally takes 72 hours to reach Delhi from Hathnikund barrage,” Kamboj said.

Additionally, Yamuna waters would swell as it reaches the national capital because of the number of rivulets that join the river from Haryana as well as Uttar Pradesh.

“When the water enters in Delhi, it is higher than it is measured at Hathnikund barrage as the water of a number of seasonal rivulets fall in it downstream Hathnikund barrage,” said XEN Kamboj.Gates of the Western and eastern jamuna canals are currently closed to avoid damage to their gates he said. Four Hydro power projects at the Western Jamuna Canal are currently closed.