What is the danger mark of a river that decides flood alerts?

Amidst heavy rainfall in Delhi and neighboring states, the water level in the Yamuna river has surpassed the 'danger mark.' A Delhi government official confirmed, "The water level in the Yamuna has reached 205.4 meters at the old railway bridge."

As the rain continued to wreak havoc in the national capital, it was anticipated that the water would exceed the 204.5 mm mark on Tuesday (July 11).

The significant rise in the Yamuna's water level can be attributed to the release of 100,000 cusecs of water from the Hathnikund barrage in the neighboring state of Haryana.

The breach of the danger mark indicates a serious threat to residents residing in low-lying areas nearby. The government is actively carrying out evacuation operations in these regions to prevent any loss of life due to the flooding.

Understanding the danger mark

The danger mark at a river location signifies the level at which a flood may result in loss and damage to nearby lives, crops, and properties. Excessive rainfall, dam ruptures, or rapid ice melting in the mountains can cause a river to overflow onto adjacent land, resulting in a flood.

When it comes to flood disasters, India is among the most affected countries globally, accounting for one-fifth of the global death toll due to floods.

A government report states that rivers worldwide are equipped with a Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) to prevent or minimize flood-induced damages.

This system heavily relies on real-time hydro-meteorological observations provided by weather satellites and automatic hydro-meteorological networks. The collected data is used to assess flood risks and potential damages. Additionally, weather forecasts play a crucial role in providing inputs for hydrological models to generate warning scenarios.

The Yamuna river

The highest recorded flood level of the Yamuna river stands at 207.49 meters. As per an update from news agency ANI, the water in the Yamuna crossed this mark at 8 am this morning.

Rescue operations are currently underway, and residents living in proximity to the river are being evacuated to safe locations.

By 10 am today (July 11), water had entered Yamuna Bazaar near Kashmere Gate, with knee-deep levels observed at some places.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stated on Monday (July 10) that although a flood-like situation was developing, the city government was fully prepared to handle any eventuality.