Old Yamuna Bridge closed for traffic as water rises

New Delhi: With the water level in the river continuing to rise due to the rains, traffic movement on Old Yamuna Bridge in Delhi was closed on Sunday, a day after the flow breached the danger mark, officials said.

“The government has set up a flood control room in the office of the district magistrate (East) at LM Bund in Geeta Colony. A 24x7 emergency operation centre has also been set up to monitor the situation,” a senior official said.

An order banning the movement of traffic on the bridge was issued after the flow in the Yamuna showed a rising trend, the officials said.

“All executive engineers and sector officers have been directed to keep in contact with the control room in relation to the discharge and water level at the Old Railway Bridge and the forecast from Central Water Commission (CWC) and MeT. In addition, they have been told to take appropriate steps to avoid a flood-like situation,” according to a government advisory.

Meanwhile, Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia took stock of the on-going evacuation operation in the low-lying areas of the city and appealed to the people to move to safer locations.

“Mr Sisodia also took stock of the evacuation work in the low-lying areas around Akshardham and Pandav Nagar,” an official said. “Many people have started moving to higher planes,” an official said.

In a meeting here, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that all the departments have been put on high alert.

Mr Kejriwal held an emergency meeting with top officials, including the chief secretary, on Saturday, to evaluate the situation.