Haryana inflow may push Yamuna to danger mark

Over 50,000 cusecs of water was discharged from the Hathnikund barrage for the first time this season, data from the Central Water Commission (CWC) showed, which is expected to take the water level of the Yamuna close to the “warning level” of 204.5 metres, given that the water released from the barrage takes 48-50 hours to reach Delhi.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

The discharge touched a peak of 54,707 cusecs at lam on Tuesday, the data showed. The water level at the Old Railway Bridge, considered the benchmark, was 202.24 metres at 5pm on Tuesday.

"This is the first time the peak discharge has crossed 50,000 cusecs and with more rain likely in the upper reaches of the Yamuna, an increase in water levels may occur in the next two to three days," said Bhim Singh Rawat, a Yamuna activist and member of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP).

CWC data showed the peak discharge crossed 50,000 cusecs at 9pm on Monday. It remained over 50,000 per hour for four more hours, until lam, before dipping to 48,974 cusecs at 2am.

Delhi considers a water level of 204.5m as the warning level, and 205.33m as the danger level.