The Yamuna continued to swell menacingly with water level reaching nearly two metres above the danger mark on Saturday night, submerging more localities even as city govt maintained that the situation was under control.

The rising Yamuna flooded several parts of the capital including Garhi Mandu, Usmanpur Pusta, Jagatpur Village and Shastri Nagar.

Areas near the ISBT were also flooded, prompting thousands of people to take shelter in government relief camps and in higher areas.

“The water level touched 206.78 metres at around 7 PM, 1.95 metre above the danger mark of 204.83 metre. We are expecting the level to stabilise now,” said an official of the flood control department.

People living in East Delhi and other areas along the bank of the river remained apprehensive that the areas may be flooded as Haryana released over 64,000 cusec of water into Yamuna which may reach the city on Sunday.

Over 10 lakh cusec of water has been release into Yamuna from Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana in the last four days, resulting in rise in water level in Yamuna.

Haryana government, however, on Saturday said discharge of water into Yamuna river from the barrage has dropped sharply to 36,034 cusecs.

“Even if the water has not reached our area, still we are living in fear,” said Anand Kumar, a resident of Akshardham area.

Officials said an embankment breach in Panipat has resulted in diversion of water flow to Delhi.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Flood Control Minister Raj Kumar Chouhan visited several flood affected areas and took stock of the relief and rescue operations.

She ordered concerned agencies to ensure proper food, medicine, and drinking water supply to people living in the relief camps.

Dikshit later asked people not to panic and said every possible measures is being taken to meet any eventuality. A BJP team also surveyed the affected areas.

Flood water also entered areas like Yamuna Vihar, Usmanpur, Madanpur, Sonia Vihar, Nigambodh, Jaitpur, Tibet Market and Yamuna Bazar.

Many people living in low-lying areas along the banks of the river were seen lined up on the footpaths on the ITO bridge with whatever was left of their belongings.

Flood water also entered the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) at Kashmiri Gate, partially affecting its functioning, officials said.

Asked about possible threat to Metro line going towards the Anand Vihar side, the officials said there was no such apprehension.

Officials said thousands of people living in the low lying areas have already been shifted to relief camps as well as safer places.

Seventy-four boats and 68 divers have also been pressed into service for the relief and rescue operation.

Water level has gone up on three sides of the Commonwealth Games village although it has not entered the complex.

Over 100 personnel from National Disaster Response Force, have been deployed to assist the local authorities.

Meanwhile, the Old Yamuna Bridge, connecting east Delhi with the heart of the national capital, which was shut for rail and road traffic on Friday following rise in the water level in the river, remained close for traffic.

The rising Yamuna has forced the Northern Railways to cancel 25 trains and divert 36 others.

The trains diverted include Kalka Mail, Shaheed Express, Garib Nawaz Express, Awadh Assam Express, Shalimar Express and Brahmaputra Mail.

As many as 39 trains including Satygraha Express, Lal Quila Express, Farakka and Howrah Janata Express have been short terminated, according to a Northern Railway spokesperson.

In last 40 years, the city had witnessed floods in 1967, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1988, 1995 and 1998 but the flood in 1978 was of serious nature as it had inundated areas in the city.

The water level in Yamuna had touched 207.49 metre then, flooding vast areas in east Delhi.

Asked about apprehension about a similar situation, officials said there was no possibility of flood even if the water level reaches 207 metres.