River\u2019s levels were at their highest in 45 years this week following unusually heavy rainfall
\nNEW DELHI,:
\nNew Delhi officials were racing to open some jammed flood gates at a barrage on the swollen river Yamuna on Friday to help drain out floodwater that has brought traffic to a standstill in parts of India\u2019s capital and swamped historical monuments.
\nThe river\u2019s levels were at their highest in 45 years this week following unusually heavy rainfall in New Delhi and hilly northern states, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people as the Yamuna, which runs through the city, breached its banks.
\nArmy and disaster relief personnel were also trying to repair a broken drain regulator near the country\u2019s Supreme Court from where water was flowing on to a key road, authorities said.
\n\u201cTo prevent water from flowing into the city, we are trying to create a dam,\u201d said Saurabh Bharadwaj, Delhi\u2019s flood control and irrigation minister, adding that sacks would be stacked up to achieve this.
\nTelevision footage showed water engulfing the walls of the historic Red Fort earlier in the day, with trucks and buses abandoned in several places, leaving just their windshields and roofs showing above the water. Police reported at least three deaths due to drowning.
\nThe roads around the Rajghat memorial to India\u2019s apostle of non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi, were inundated too, with some water flowing into the memorial area as well.
\nWith some reduction in water levels in the river, the city resumed operation of one of the three water treatment plants that were closed on Thursday, bringing some relief in supply, Delhi\u2019s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.
\nAt a barrage in the downtown area, army and navy officials were working to reopen five jammed gates that were affecting the flow of the river, Kejriwal added.
\nDelhi has recorded rainfall 91% above-normal this monsoon season that began June 1. It has received 309mm (12 inches) of rainfall so far in July, which is the third highest for the month for at least 12 years, according to the India Meteorological Department.
\nAlso flooded were several private and government offices, including the police headquarters, in the city\u2019s ITO area.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
River\u2019s levels were at their highest in 45 years this week following unusually heavy rainfall NEW DELHI,: New Delhi officials were racing to open some jammed flood gates at a barrage on the swollen river Yamuna on Friday to help drain out floodwater that has brought traffic to a standstill in parts of India\u2019s capital […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":343349,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-343337","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n