New Delhi:
The shadow of floods looms large over low-lying areas of Delhi as the Yamuna river continues to flow well above the danger mark of 204.88 metres.
Rain is still coming down heavily in most parts of the city. Delhiites got drenched while on way to schools and offices today as incessant rains lashed the Capital for the fifth consecutive day.
The showers began at around 7.45 am as office-goers and students started from their homes. This led to water-logging and traffic jams in some areas.
Even as the sky opened up, vehicular movement was slow in areas like ITO, Vikas Marg, Connaught Place and AIIMS.
The rainfall for the month of August has already broken a 10-year record. There has been more than 413 mm of rainfall in the city till now this month, the highest in a decade.
The other big concern is the 3.5 lakh cusecs of water released from a barrage in Haryana, which will reach Delhi later today, adding further to the woes.
"How will the poor manage? Where will we go? We have made our houses here. Where else will we go," says Neeraj, a worried rickshaw puller.
At present the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) team and the Delhi government team are patrolling the river with 60 boats.
"People living in huts have been evacuated. But those living in houses on the river bank are still there. The water has reached their doors. If the water level rises it will be dangerous for them," says Sahabjeet Yadav, an NDRF Sub-Inspector.
The Chief Minister's office has said that at least 10 camps have been set up with temporary shelters in low-lying areas close to the river.
The Met office has said the next 24 hours are likely to see a generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers, one or two of which may be heavy. (With PTI inputs)