Army, NDRF Join Relief Operations As Delhi Continues To Reel Under Floods, Roads Still Inundated

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Army have joined the relief operations in Delhi, which is experiencing one of its worst floods in many years.

"Labourers and engineers worked overnight to create a mud wall to stop the water (from entering the city). The Army and the NDRF have also joined the operation, so I believe we will be able to stop the water in the next three-four hours," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday after inspecting the ongoing repair works at Vikas Marg, ITO.

VIDEO | "I hope that this (flood situation in Delhi) can be controlled in lesser time if Army, NDRF all come together," says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal after inspecting damaged drain regulator at Vikas Marg, ITO. pic.twitter.com/uuVt0JtJnr

¡ª Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 14, 2023

Yamuna water reaches Supreme Court

The floodwaters from the River Yamuna had breached the Irrigation and Flood Control Department's regulator in Indraprastha on Thursday.

BCCL

This resulted in flood water entering the city, with many areas, including ITO and Rajghat, submerging.

Though the flood water receded slightly on Friday, commuters continued to face difficulties as traffic was diverted due to waterlogging at ITO road, a key stretch connecting east Delhi to Lutyens's Delhi.

BCCL

Water level reduced in Yamuna

After breaching a 45-year record three days ago, water levels in the Yamuna came down to 208.35 metres at 11 am on Friday, even as several key areas in Delhi remained inundated.

On Thursday, the water level had started rising after remaining stable for three hours and reached 208.66 metres by 7 pm, three metres above the danger mark of 205.33 metres.

BCCL

According to Central Water Commission (CWC) data, the water level stood at 208.57 metres on Friday and fell marginally to 208.48 metres at 5 am.

Thousands displaced by floods

The unprecedented floods caused by the overflowing Yamuna also displaced thousands of people, mostly living in shanties along the low-lying areas of the river bank.

AFP

The Delhi government has set up relief camps -- tents supported by wooden poles -- on roadsides in areas along the Yamuna, and around 7,500 people have been evacuated to these camps. However, many complained of poor facilities and arrangements.

In a camp near the Yamuna Bridge, Tarawati, who has a farm at the Yamuna floodplains, said the flood has destroyed both her farm and her 'juggi' (shanty).

AFP

Omprakash, who is staying at the Yamuna Bridge camp along with his mother, wife and four children, said he and many others have been living near the Yamuna River for years, and farming is their only source of livelihood.

"We can't leave, everything is here. Our fields are here. If we don't farm how would we earn money? We haven't faced many problems in the camp, at least we get food two times a day," he said.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.