Jahangirpuri’s drain…
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
The flood in Yamuna has also affected other drains including Najafgarh and Jahangirpuri. Due to the closure of drains in Yamuna, they are filled to the brim. In Najafgarh and Jahangirpuri drain, there is a flow of eight meters height on normal days, which has reached 18 meters. Due to non-possibility of quick evacuation of water, apprehension is being expressed that the main drain may overflow and submerge the nearby areas.
Actually, Yamuna is increasing in height at present due to being tied to both the banks. Due to this, the water level of the drains of Delhi joining it has come down. All the drains have been closed to prevent the Yamuna water from being diverted into the drains, but the sewage coming out of Delhi is like normal days. The water level of the Najafgarh drain reached 209.9 meters on Thursday, while its capacity is around 211 metres.
Flood and Irrigation Department’s MLA representative and expert Kumar Gautam told that if the water of this drain does not go into the Yamuna, it can reach the houses in the residential areas. Especially Mukherjee Nagar, Hakikat Nagar, Sonia Vihar, Model Town and other surrounding areas will be affected. The Pushta Road built from Wazirabad Pushta to Palla Dam has reduced the damage caused by floods to a great extent. This pillar has been made five feet above the road. At present, Yamuna water is flowing two feet below it. Had the Delhi government not built this embankment, Burari, Sant Nagar, Baba Colony, Sangam Vihar and other residential areas would have been submerged.
Sewer water entered in DDA SFS Society of Mukherjee Nagar
Due to overflow of Najafgarh drain, the northern sewer trunk has been closed. Because of this, sewer water is getting backed up. The Jahangir Puri drain has been closed due to overflowing water, due to which sewer water is not being released. As soon as the water level of Jahangir Puri drain is over, this problem will also end. The same situation is also in Hakikat Nagar of North Delhi, which has also been alerted by DDMA. RWA representative Pawan Sharma said that sewer water is getting accumulated in the society. Efforts are being made to get it out of the way of the road.
Eye on Najafgarh drain from drone
Due to rising water level, the Najafgarh drain in other areas including Nehru Vihar is being monitored by drones. There is only one feet shortfall in filling the drain. If this overflows, Delhi University will also be filled with water. Sewer lines and 40 year old drinking water line have also been destroyed.
Colonies are turning into islands
Professor Chandrachud Singh of Hindu College says that the Najafgarh drain is currently full. The idea of converting this drain into Sahibi river has caused damage. In order to keep the river running, the sewer from Hakikat Nagar to Mukherjee Nagar colony was closed. The water pressure in this drain has increased. Due to this the colonies have turned into islands. There was a need to understand the problem behind beautification. Not only this, the colonies are divided into MCD, Water Board, Flood Control, DDA and MCD.
Water entered civil line, took shelter in hotels
Knee-deep water is accumulating in the area behind the trauma center in Civil Lines. Due to this the people living here had vacated the houses. Many people involved in these people have taken shelter in hotels located in Paharganj and Karol Bagh. Some people have gone to their relatives’ place. Former councilor Suman Gupta, living in Rohatgi apartment located on Civil Line, told that water had started entering the entire area at night itself and in the morning the water had accumulated up to the knees. We have come to the hotels located in Paharganj and Karol Bagh. Rooms are rented for four to five days. Some people have reached relatives’ place.