Yamuna Water Level in Delhi Rises Above Danger Mark to 206.86 Meters. Movement of Trains and Vehicles on the Old Iron Bridge Halted. Traffic Diverted, Administration on Alert. Water Level Expected to Recede from Tonight.
Delhi Flood Update: The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi is continuously increasing. By 7 AM on Wednesday, the Yamuna's water level reached 206.86 meters, which is above the danger mark. Due to the rise in water level, the administration has closed the Old Iron Bridge as a precautionary measure. With this decision, the movement of trains and vehicles has been completely stopped. The administration has taken this step keeping in mind the safety of the people, to prevent any untoward incident.
The closure of the bridge has also started affecting Delhi's traffic system. The traffic pressure has significantly increased on Shastri Park Pushta Road and Gandhi Nagar Road due to the diversion of vehicle routes. Police have barricaded the area to stop movement and provided alternative routes.
Movement of Trains Also Halted, Operations Stopped Since Morning
The continuous rise in the Yamuna's water level has also impacted train services. The water had crossed 206 meters on Tuesday evening, after which the administration first stopped the movement of vehicles. However, as the water level continued to rise, the operation of all trains passing through the Old Iron Bridge was also stopped from 6:30 AM on Wednesday.
According to railway officials, train operations will not resume until the water level decreases. The administration has clearly stated that this restriction will continue until the water recedes below the danger mark.
Increased Pressure in the City Due to Traffic Diversion
Following the closure of the bridge, the Delhi Police have implemented a traffic diversion plan. The police have appealed to drivers not to use this route unnecessarily. Drivers going from Gandhi Nagar towards Old Delhi have been advised to take the route via Geeta Colony Flyover.
Similarly, vehicles going from Yamuna Bazar's Old Hanuman Mandir towards Yamuna Paar have been directed to proceed via Kashmere Gate and Shahdara GT Road. The administration states that after implementing the traffic diversion, the traffic pressure on Shastri Park and Gandhi Nagar Road has increased significantly. Police personnel and traffic staff have been deployed to manage this situation.
400 Cows from Cow Shelter Shifted Inside the Bridge
An illegal cow shelter was located on DDA land near the Old Iron Bridge. As the water started rising, the shelter got flooded, posing a challenge for the administration to save over 400 cows.
The administration stated that such a large number of cows could not be left on the streets. Therefore, they have currently been shifted inside the bridge. The people associated with the cow shelter are providing them with fodder there. The police had issued an advisory for drivers before closing the bridge to avoid inconvenience.
Administration on Alert
The Delhi administration and the Disaster Management Department are continuously monitoring the situation. Due to the rise in water level, the water has reached close to the Old Usmanpur and Garhi Mandu villages. Water has also started accumulating in the Khadar areas.
Although the Meteorological Department forecasts that the water level may start receding from tonight, the administration has advised people to remain alert and stay away from the river banks until then.
