Delhi Flood: Since the Yamuna river flowing in Delhi has exceeded the evacuation mark of 206 metres, thousands of people living in the river’s floodplain have been relocated to safer areas. The evacuation process is underway, with people being relocated to places in the east, north, northeast, southeast, central and Shahdara districts of Delhi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Minister of Health, Urban Development and Water, Delhi government, said, news agency PTI reported. Bharadwaj said that a flood is highly unlikely in Delhi and that the discharge of a huge quantity of water from Haryana caused the water level of Yamuna to rise.
In 1978, the water level of Yamuna had risen to an all-time record high of 207.49 metres, resulting in devastating floods in the national capital. This means that the current water level of Yamuna in Delhi is only about a metre less than the 1978 flood level.
Delhi flood: What will happen if Yamuna breaches 1978 level?
ABP Live spoke to Dr Anjal Prakash, Research Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business and IPCC Author, and Mr Praveen Tiwari, Co-Founder, Netsol Water Solutions, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and asked them about the likelihood of floods in Delhi if the Yamuna water level breaches the 1978 flood level.
Both experts said that there is a high likelihood of floods occurring in the regions surrounding the Yamuna river in Delhi, if its water level breaches the 1978 flood level. They explained that the floods can damage infrastructure and may lead to deaths. Moreover, the potential floods can disrupt transportation and restrict access to essential services.
“If the water level breaches the 1978 flood level in the Yamuna river, there is a high likelihood of floods occurring in the surrounding areas. Floodwaters can submerge low-lying areas, including residential neighbourhoods, agricultural fields, and infrastructure like roads and bridges. This can disrupt transportation, compromise access to essential services, and pose a threat to human safety,” Tiwari said.
Dr Prakash explained that floodwaters can contaminate water sources, and cause widespread displacement, which is why it is important for authorities to monitor the water levels and issue timely warnings.
“Flooding can result in significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and agriculture, along with potential loss of lives. Floodwaters can disrupt transportation, contaminate water sources, and cause widespread displacement. It is crucial for authorities to monitor the water levels and issue timely warnings to ensure that appropriate evacuation measures and emergency responses are implemented to mitigate the impact of potential floods,” Dr Prakash said.
Delhi flood: Comparing 1978 and 2023, does the same amount of rain still cause the same river level rise?
The amount of rain that caused the Yamuna river to reach record-high water levels in 1978 may not have the same impact on the river in 2023 because over the years, measures have been taken to divert and manage the river water.
Dr Prakash and Tiwari explained that efforts have been made to implement water management strategies to mitigate the impact of heavy rainfall on the Yamuna river, and one such measure is the construction of reservoirs and dams upstream to regulate the flow of water. Canal systems have been built to divert water from the river for irrigation.
“Reservoirs and dams are structures which help in storing excess water during periods of heavy rain and releasing it gradually to prevent sudden surges in river levels downstream. The stored water can be utilised for various purposes such as irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydroelectric power generation. Additionally, canal systems have been established to divert water from the river for irrigation purposes. This practice reduces the reliance on the river for agricultural needs and helps in balancing the water distribution,” Tiwari said.