Delhi floods in photos: Evacuation begins as Yamuna level crosses danger mark

Heavy rains lashing the national capital over the last few weeks has brought Delhi to its knees. With the threat of floods looming large due to a swollen Yamuna river crossing the danger mark, authorities, on Saturday, began evacuating hundreds of people affected by the rising water level.

The river water level rose as heavy rains continued in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, with authorities releasing more water at Haryana's Hathnikund barrage during the day.

The Yamuna in Delhi was flowing above the danger mark at 205.06 meters by 10 am, an Irrigation and Flood Control Department official told IANS. Nodal officer (Preet Vihar) Arun Gupta said:

Over 10,000 persons have been affected. People earlier living on the river bed and low-lying areas are being shifted out.

The officer cautioned that the Yamuna water level is expected to go up by Saturday night.

"On Saturday morning, over 200,000 cusecs was released into the Yamuna from the barrage -- which provides drinking water to New Delhi," an official told IANS in Chandigarh.

The official said that residents of villages along the Yamuna river have been alerted on the release of excess water.

Water at the Hathnikund barrage along the Haryana-Uttarakhand border had risen to alarming levels owing to overnight downpour in catchment states, making authorities release the extra water.

The Yamuna passes through Yamunanagar, Karnal and Panipat districts in Haryana before entering New Delhi. The Met Department predicted hill states in Haryana's neighbourhood will continue to experience heavy rains.

Meanwhile, the national capital has been crippled by the heavy downpour that resulted in waterlogging various parts of the city. From floods underpasses to stranded ambulances, Delhi is experiencing the brunt of what seems to be a combination of bad infrastructure and a lackadaisical government in an overwhelming monsoon this year.

Delhi rains in photos: