FLOODING IN INDIA PROMPTS ARMY TO INTERVENE AS RIVER SURGE HALTS INDIA’S CAPITAL

Fri 14 July 2023:

The flooding in India’s capital got worse on Friday as floods from the overflowing Yamuna River approached the Supreme Court’s entrance.

According to officials, the flood situation worsened after a regulator of the Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Department was damaged near Indraprastha, resulting in flooding in ITO and surrounding areas.

“Engineers have been working the whole night. I have directed the chief secretary to seek help of army/National Disaster Response Force but this should be fixed urgently,” Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal wrote on social media.

The recent monsoon rains in northern India have caused widespread damage, including waterlogging, road collapses, collapsed homes, and severe traffic congestion.

Delhi | Indian Army completes around 80% of the restoration of Bund at the I&FC regulator near the WHO Building. The work is to be completed tonight. Restoration of the collapsed regulator to start thereafter. Army also completes the clearing of silt and sludge that had jammed 5… pic.twitter.com/39exffJAy6

— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2023

As a precautionary measure, the entry of heavy goods vehicles into the city from the four borders has been banned. However, vehicles carrying essential items including vegetables and milk have been exempted from the ban.

On July 13, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority directed all the schools and colleges along with government offices for non-essential services in Delhi to be closed till July 16 as water from Yamuna inundated several parts of the national capital.

During the meeting, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that more than 20,000 people have been shifted to the relief camps so far. There are 50 boats, and more will be deployed if needed.

“All schools, colleges, and universities are being closed till Sunday,” says Kejriwal, reported by PTI.

📷: People carry their belongings as they wade through flood waters after the Yamuna River overflowed following heavy monsoon rains in New Delhi, India. (AFP) pic.twitter.com/cXGfnG34eZ

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) July 14, 2023

The Delhi chief minister said in view of the problems faced by the people in relief camps, they will be shifted to school buildings that have proper toilet facilities.

Meanwhile, a flood situation has also arisen in several districts–Chirang & Bongaigaon– of Assam after an increase in the water level of the Brahmaputra river due to incessant rainfall in different parts across the state.

Himachal Pradesh is also facing a flood-like situation and relief materials were delivered to the flood-affected areas of the state by the Air Force helicopter.  Several other states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are also affected due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging. 

In Haryana, lakhs of people were affected as flood water reached around 854 villages and towns in 11 districts of the state and damaged crops on around 1.24 lakh hectares.

Delhi CM Kejriwal inspects work to open 5 gates of Yamuna Barrage

#WATCH | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal inspects the spot at Vikas Bhawan, ITO where a drain regulator is damaged.

Delhi Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj also present. pic.twitter.com/Qj7YDNEhke

— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2023