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This Article is From Sep 11, 2009

Delhi govt sounds flood alert, begins evacuation

New Delhi: With flood water entering various low-lying areas due to incessant rains, Delhi government on Friday started evacuation of people residing in these localities and sounded an alert.

The flood control department as well as disaster management authority have been asked to use their full resources to extend all possible help to those affected by the flood.

Flood Control Minister Raj Kumar Chouhan said people from low-lying areas are being evacuated and relief camps are being set up in various areas of East Delhi and other low-lying areas of the city.

A control room, which will function round-the-clock, has already been set up to coordinate relief and rescue operation among various agencies.

Expressing concern over rising level of water in Yamuna river, he said Hathnikund dam in neighbouring Haryana has released 4.20 lakh cusecs of water on Thursday which may result in the river crossing the danger level on Saturday.

"We have made all the necessary arrangements to deal with the situation. But still, the rising level of Yamuna is a matter of great concern," he said.

Officials in the flood control department said Haryana released an additional 93,308 cusecs of water this evening into the Yamuna river which will compound problems for Delhi.

They said the water level in Yamuna at the Old Delhi bridge touched 202.48 metre at 6 PM which was constantly rising.

"The Central Water Commission (CWC) has informed us that the level will cross the danger level of 204.83 metre by noon tomorrow," they said, adding number of rubber boats are being used to rescue people from flood-affected areas.

Earlier, at a high-level meeting to review the situation, Chouhan directed all departments concerned and agencies to put all their efforts to extend possible help to the affected people.

Control room set up in Gurgaon:

Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner Rajender Kataria has set up a control room for providing information about flooded areas so that the remedial action can be taken up in time.

After receiving information about water logging in some villages of the district, Kataria called an emergency meeting of the concerned officers and asked them to visit their respective areas.

Kataria said that the concerned officers should take round of their areas and take up dewatering work wherever necessary.

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