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PIX: Yamuna water rising to unprecedented level, 1 drowns

Last updated on: June 19, 2013 21:18 IST
Residents wade through an alley flooded with the rising water level of river Yamuna after heavy monsoon rains in New Delhi on Wednesday

Low-lying areas along the Yamuna were on Wednesday flooded as water level in the river inched closer to breaking the 207.49 metres mark, the highest in recorded history, prompting the authorities to evacuate over 5,000 people even as a man drowned in the river.

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PIX: Yamuna water rising to unprecedented level, 1 drowns

Last updated on: June 19, 2013 21:18 IST
A man ferries his boat after retrieving floating watermelons from the flooded waters of river Yamuna in New Delhi

Appealing to the people not to panic, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the administration was "fully ready" to face any eventuality as all concerned departments and agencies have been putting in their best efforts to deal with the situation.

The water level in the river was recorded at 207.32 metre at 7 pm, which is 2.49 metre above the danger mark of 204.83 metre. The highest water level of 207.49 m in Yamuna was recorded in 1978 when several areas in the city had witnessed flash floods.

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PIX: Yamuna water rising to unprecedented level, 1 drowns

Last updated on: June 19, 2013 21:18 IST
A resident carries his belongings through an alley flooded with the rising water level of river Yamuna after heavy monsoon rains in New Delhi

Officials said the water level is expected to cross the highest level by Wednesday midnight. The city government has asked the army to be on alert for helping the civil administration, if required.

The water level in Yamuna has gone up primarily due to release of around 11 lakh cusecs of water into Yamuna by Haryana from its Hathnikund barrage in the last three days. The neighbouring state released around one lakh cusecs of water into the river on Wednesday.

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PIX: Yamuna water rising to unprecedented level, 1 drowns

Last updated on: June 19, 2013 21:18 IST
A boy sits on a ladder next to his flooded house with the rising water level of river Yamuna after heavy monsoon rains in New Delhi

The officials said various low-lying areas in east Delhi like Usmanpur, Yamuna Bazar, Bhajanpura and Shastri Park, Garhi Mandu, Usmanpur Pusta and Jagatpur village were inundated by Yamuna waters.

They said a person taking bath at Majanu Ka Tila drowned in the Yamuna water. His body is yet to be recovered.

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PIX: Yamuna water rising to unprecedented level, 1 drowns

Last updated on: June 19, 2013 21:18 IST
A man unlocks the door of his flooded house as other residents watch after a rise in the water level of river Yamuna in New Delhi

In the past 40 years, the city had witnessed floods in 1967, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1988, 1995 and 1998.

The authorities have set up over 400 tents in four districts -- 240 in East, 100 in Southeast, 50 in Central and 30 in Northeast -- to accommodate the affected people.

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PIX: Yamuna water rising to unprecedented level, 1 drowns

Last updated on: June 19, 2013 21:18 IST
A man stands on the banks of the flooded river Yamuna after heavy monsoon rains in New Delhi

The 145-year-old Old Yamuna Bridge connecting east Delhi with the heart of the national capital, was shut for rail and road traffic for the second consecutive day.

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PIX: Yamuna water rising to unprecedented level, 1 drowns

Last updated on: June 19, 2013 21:18 IST
Residents carry their belongings through an alley flooded with the rising water level of river Yamuna

"The situation is under control and there is no need to panic. The government has taken all possible measures to deal with the situation. We are providing all essential items to people staying in relief camps," Dikshit said after visiting a number of flood-hit affected areas along with Revenue Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely.

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PIX: Yamuna water rising to unprecedented level, 1 drowns

Last updated on: June 19, 2013 21:18 IST
A child watches while standing on the doorstep of her house next to a flooded alley due to rising water level of river Yamuna

Officials said 62 boats with divers have been pressed into service to rescue people.

The 'Disaster Control Room' in the office of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority has been overseeing the rescue operation along with departments and agencies concerned.

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PIX: Yamuna water rising to unprecedented level, 1 drowns

Last updated on: June 19, 2013 21:18 IST
A crow sits over the floating bushes in the flooded waters of river Yamuna after heavy monsoon rains in New Delhi

Mobile medical teams and water tanks have been pressed into service to help the affected people.

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PIX: Yamuna water rising to unprecedented level, 1 drowns

Last updated on: June 19, 2013 21:18 IST
A man stands under a bridge built over river Yamuna in New Delhi

Local administrations in various low-lying areas are making public announcements asking people to leave for safer places.

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PIX: Yamuna water rising to unprecedented level, 1 drowns

Last updated on: June 19, 2013 21:18 IST
A man swims in the flooded waters of river Yamuna

The chief minister visited relief camps in Mayur Vihar, Phase-I, DND Flyover, Nursery Khader Mayur Vihar Phase-I.

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PIX: Yamuna water rising to unprecedented level, 1 drowns

Last updated on: June 19, 2013 21:18 IST
A child stands atop a bench while watches the rising water level of river Yamuna

Officials said 19 shelter camps have been set up while 500 tents were erected to provide shelter to affected persons.

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Last updated on: June 19, 2013 21:18 IST

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