Historic flooding submerges parts of the Indian capital, prompting evacuations
New Delhi, July 13 (EFE).- Parts of New Delhi woke up submerged under water on Thursday due to the historic flooding of the Yamuna River, forcing authorities to evacuate thousands of people due to heavy rains in north India that have left at least 41 dead.
“The water level of the Yamuna River continues to rise,” noted city Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who requested the cooperation of residents in areas near the river for the evacuations.
“Saving lives is the most important thing,” Kejriwal said.
The city authorities have ordered the closure of public and private schools in the flooded areas and set up relief camps for people displaced by the waters.
Submerged cars, inundated markets, people navigating waist-deep floodwaters, and chocked streets were scenes in the affected areas of the city of 22 million inhabitants.
According to official data, the water level of the Yamuna River in the capital reached 208.51 meters, surpassing the danger mark and the highest recorded water level in the river in 1978, which was 207.49 meters.
The government predicted that the waters would continue to rise throughout the day.
At least 41 people have died in recent days in northern India as a result of heavy rains.
In its latest bulletin, the Indian Meteorological Department maintained the alert for heavy precipitation in parts of Himachal Pradesh and the neighboring Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh states.
Heavy rains cause significant human and material damage each year in South Asian countries, especially during the monsoon period between May and September. EFE
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