The water level in the Yamuna is likely to rise by at least two metres above the danger mark by Friday evening due to release of over 8 lakh cusec water by Haryana, a prospect that has prompted authorities to ask people living in nearby low-lying areas to shift elsewhere.

The river was flowing at 204.52 metres Thursday morning, slightly less than the danger level of 204.83 metres.

A senior official of the Flood Control Department said Haryana has released 6.60 lakh cusec water on Wednesday and 2.13 lakh cusec water on Thursday.

The water will reach Delhi by Friday evening and the Yamuna water level may raise upto 207 metres, he said.

Considering the possible flood-like situation due to the rising water level, the Delhi government has asked people living in low-lying areas near the river to shift to safer places.

“We are taking all precautionary measures to handle the situation,” the official said.

Last month too, the Yamuna water level was above the danger level for several days, prompting authorities to shift a large number of people to relief camps.