CWC data revealed  (CWC) 

New Delhi: Most of the rivers of the country are in full spate and causing havoc. The Central Water Commission    (CWC)  said on Wednesday that other monitoring centers including a monitoring center in Delhi reported that “flood situation is serious” in 21 rivers while 33 other rivers are flowing above normal level. The 21 rivers which are in serious grip of flood include nine in Bihar, eight in Uttar Pradesh and one each in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal and Jharkhand. The 33 rivers whose water level is more than normal include nine in Uttar Pradesh, seven in Bihar, seven in Assam, two in Uttarakhand, two in Odisha, two in Telangana and one each in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and West Bengal.

The northern hill states are on high alert. Very heavy to extremely heavy rains are expected in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and water level in Beas, Sutlej, Chenab, Ravi, Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers is likely to rise suddenly. In Jammu and Kashmir, Chenab, Tawi, Jhelum and Indus valleys are at high risk of floods, especially in Kishtwar, Doda, Kathua, Anantnag and Pulwama districts.

Waterlogging in low-lying areas of Delhi

Due to the rising water level of Yamuna river, roads and markets in low-lying areas of Delhi were flooded, causing great difficulties to the people and shopkeepers living in these areas. Residents of Majnu ka Tila, Madanpur Khadar and Badarpur are now living in temporary shelters due to rising Yamuna water level and are waiting for the water to recede. The water level of Yamuna was recorded at 207 meters at 1 pm on Wednesday. Authorities shifted people from low-lying areas to safer places and closed the iron railway bridge for traffic. The real challenge for these affected families will begin when the water level of the river starts receding as they will have to struggle afresh to bring their lives back on track. The Majnu Ka Tila market has become deserted due to waterlogging.

Cremations stopped at Nigambodh Ghat

Flood waters of the Yamuna river have entered Delhi’s oldest and busiest crematorium, Nigambodh Ghat, due to which cremations have been temporarily stopped there. Officials gave this information on Wednesday. A Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) official said that cremations were stopped at the crematorium in the afternoon and only the funerals that started in the morning were completed. Located on the ring road behind the Red Fort, Nigambodh Ghat has 42 cremation sites. It is the oldest, largest and busiest crematorium in the city. On an average, 55 to 60 cremations take place here every day. The rising water level has disrupted the arrangements. A management official present at the ghat said, “Earlier only rain water had entered the premises, but a wall of about seven to eight feet high got damaged from the top and about two feet of it collapsed, due to which Yamuna water started coming in.”

More than 5,500 civilians rescued in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab: Army

The Western Command of the Indian Army has been carrying out a massive humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation 24 hours a day for more than two weeks under ‘Operation Rahat’ in the flood-affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. The statement said that so far more than 5,500 civilians and 300 paramilitary personnel have been rescued and more than 3,000 civilians have been provided medical assistance and more than 27 tonnes of ration and essential supplies have been provided to the affected communities. It said that so far, more than 50 Army columns have been deployed and relief operations are underway in which stranded people are being rescued, essential infrastructure is being repaired and life-saving assistance is being provided.