The old Yamuna bridge, also known as Lohe-Ka-Pul, has been closed for traffic because the Yamuna river has reached a dangerous level. This bridge, called “bridge number 249,” is one of the oldest and longest bridges in India. It was built between 1863 and 1866 and opened for public use in 1867. The bridge is made of steel and has two levels, spanning the Yamuna river in Delhi and connecting the city to Shadra.
In the past, the bridge was an important link between Kolkata and Delhi, as they were connected by railways. Initially, the bridge had only one line but was later expanded to accommodate two lines. Currently, the Delhi Traffic Police have announced on Twitter that the bridge is closed until further notice due to the dangerous water level.
The water level in the Yamuna river has risen above the danger mark, reaching 206.24 meters according to the Central Water Commission (CWC). The Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, has stated that his government is in contact with the CWC and that the water level is currently at 203.58 meters. Experts believe that there will not be a flood-like situation, but the government is prepared to evacuate residents if the water level reaches 206 meters.
In 1978, the water level at the old bridge exceeded 207 meters, but there was no flood. Similarly, in 2013, even though 8 lakh cusecs of water were released from the Hathni Kund Barrage and the river level reached 207.32 mm, there was no flood. In 2019, although the water level was 206.6 mm, there was still no flood.
Despite these reassurances, the closure of the old Yamuna bridge and the rising water levels have put Delhi on high alert. The government has identified 41,000 people living in nearby areas and has set up relief camps for them in case of an emergency.
