River Yamuna had already touched the 204.83 danger mark yesterday.
Highlights
- Residents say they were not alerted before the barrage was opened
- Evacuation process has not started in Nigambodh ghat area
- 75 families have been left homeless for the last 3 days
The Yamuna water barrage was opened today to release nearly 25,000 cuesec of water in what was already a flooded area - leaving over 70 families homeless.
The river had already reached the danger mark of 204.83 metres yesterday. And though the water level receded today to 204.2 m this morning, the residents of Nigambodh Ghat area feel it will only be a matter of time when it crosses danger mark again.
Since Saturday, people from the affected areas of Burari were being evacuated.
But the authorities would start evacuation process in Nigambodh ghat only after the Yamuna water level crosses 206 metres, which is a metre higher than the danger mark. Already, of a colony of over 500 people in the area, 75 families have been left homeless. Most of the homes there are partially inundated.
"Why don't they alert us before opening the barrage?" demanded Vinod, a 27-year-old laborer who has been living with his family of 3 children in a nearby temple. For the last three days, the family has been surviving on Prasad distributed at the temple. No relief material has been provided to them.
Delhi water minister Kapil Mishra told NDTV, "Disaster management teams are on the alert and some people have been evacuated."