Kejriwal Issues Warning As Water From Overflowing Yamuna Reaches Delhi Ring Road

New Delhi: Water from Yamuna river, which had already swelled to a record-breaking level, reached the Ring Road in north Delhi this evening, leading to waterlogging and traffic jams.

“Traffic is affected on Ring road between Monastery and ISBT, Kashmere Gate due to overflowing Yamuna river water. Kindly avoid the stretch,” Delhi Traffic Police posted from its Twitter handle.

The Outer Ring Road, with a total length of 47 km, encircles Delhi and is an important connector in the Capital city as it links areas like Rohini, IIT Flyover and Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) at Kashmere Gate.

Anticipating serious woes, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal urged residents in low-lying areas near the Yamuna to evacuate immediately.

“We have to protect lives and properties. People in low-lying areas near the Yamuna River need to be evacuated,” Kejriwal said after holding an emergency meeting with concerned authorities.

He also instructed district magistrates to convert schools into relief camps, if necessary.

Kejriwal also requested the Central government to ensure no more water is released from Hatnikund barrage in Haryana.

The Yamuna in Delhi swelled to 207.71 metres on Wednesday, surpassing its previous record of 207.49 metres set in 1978.

Homes and markets in Delhi have been flooded and several residents living near the river have been forced to move to the terrace with their belongings, NDTV reported.