Flood in Delhi: traffic jam in delhi due to heavy rains

Flood in Delhi: traffic jam in delhi due to heavy rains

In Delhi heavy rains and an overflowing river yamuna on wednesday put several parts of Delhi under knee-deep water and caused traffic jams several hours long. With the river's levels crossing the danger mark, road and rail traffic on the Old Yamuna Bridge had to be stopped. Eighteen suburban trains and 24 mail and express trains were diverted.

The closure of the bridge also forced the diversion of road traffic, resulting in further chaos on other roads.The Yamuna flooded areas in its vicinity, such as ISBT, the Tibetan Monastery market and the road outside the Indira Gandhi Stadium - a Commonwealth Games venue.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the river's banks as the water level touched 205.70 metres. Many low-lying areas faced inundation as the Yamuna was expected to cross 206 metres. Usmanpur, ITO, Sonia Vihar and the Nigambodh Ghat were under threat.

The river had crossed the danger level of 204.83 metres on Friday evening and has been flowing above it since then. The usually crowded alleys of the Tibetan market were filled with muddy water while the road from ITO to Rajpath was blocked due to excessive waterlogging.

There was knee-deep water in front of the Indira Gandhi stadium, forcing the road to be closed. Headlines Today spotted several DTC buses stuck in the waters. Bystanders said the buses had passengers.

While police stopped vehicles from proceeding further, a cyclist and two girls were seen braving the flooded road. "I need to get to the IGNOU centre as today is the last date for admission," one of the girls told Headlines Today.

A bystander said he had been struggling to get past the waterlogged road for the last two hours. "I don't know how I will get home. The entire stretch ahead is flooded," he said. The owner of a public transport jeep had to get his passengers to help him pull his vehicle back from the waters. Many other vehicles were seen taking a U-turn.

Traffic snarls were reported from arterial intersections such as ITO, Moolchand Underpass, Nizamuddin and NH-24. The MCD received complaints of waterlogging at 117 places. There were five complaints each of tree falls and building collapses.

The administration closed the sluice gates of the 17 nullahs falling into the Yamuna to prevent flooding. The civic authorities assured this wont lead to overflowing of the city's drains.

"At all the 17 points, pumps have been installed and excess water from the drains is being pumped into the river itself. So there is no fear of overflowing of the drains within the city," MCD Commissioner K.S. Mehra said.