The river that runs through India’s capital has reached a record high due to heavy monsoon rainfall, authorities said on Friday, who dispatched army engineers to try to contain the waters.
• Read also: Indian coal mines on fire for a century
• Read also: India: new attempt on Friday for an unmanned landing on the Moon
• Read also: IN PICTURES | Floods and landslides in India, at least 29 dead
After reaching a record width of 208.66 meters on Thursday, the Yamuna River is moving towards “an extreme flood situation”, India’s central water commission warned in a tweet.
Photo: AFP
The figure exceeded the previous record of 207.49 meters, reached in 1978, and the flows threaten the low districts of the megalopolis of more than 20 million inhabitants.
Floods and landslides are common in India during the monsoon season but their frequency and intensity are increasing due to climate change according to experts.
Photo: AFP
Authorities deployed army engineers around a dam and thousands of people moved to nearby temporary relief accommodation or elevated roads.
Non-essential schools, colleges and government offices will remain closed until at least Sunday, while many key roads and bridges are under water.
Photo: AFP
Arvind Kejriwal, who heads the New Delhi state government, said army officials and engineers are working to “try to stop the waters from entering the city”, warning that new precipitation is expected on Saturday.
Photo: AFP
The development in Delhi could depend on the situation in several northern states which have experienced torrential rains in recent days, killing at least 90 people, according to local media.
Tens of thousands of people have been stranded, with major roads, power lines and communication networks disrupted due to landslides and flooding caused by the rains.
Photo: AFP
The monsoon brings South Asia around 80% of its annual rainfall, which is essential for both agriculture and the livelihoods of millions of people, but brings with it natural disasters every year.