- Title: INDIA: Flood fears add to concerns over Commonwealth Games in New Delhi
- Date: 24th September 2010
- Summary: NEW DELHI, INDIA (SEPTEMBER 23, 2010) (ANI - NO ACCESS BBC) YAMUNA RIVER FLOWING RIVER WATER BIRDS SITTING ON BRANCH ABOVE RIVER GUSHING WATER OVERFLOWING RIVER TREES SUBMERGED IN RIVER RIVER LEVEL MARKER AT RIVERBANK A BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER LOCALS WALKING ON BRIDGE BEING SPLASHED BY FLOODWATER THREE WOMEN TAKING PICTURES OF FLOODED RIVER SUBMERGED HUTS WITH ONLY ROOFS VISIBLE (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) RAVINDER JAIN, A LOCAL, SAYING: "Flood in the river has badly affected Delhi. After the occurrence of flood in '78, we are seeing flash floods now. Now the living conditions of Delhi have worsened. A little rain can cause traffic jams in the city. Various places of the city are in bad condition due to incessant rain." MILKMAN WADING THROUGH FLOODED ROAD MAN WALKING NEAR HOUSE WITH WATER ALL AROUND SUBMERGED VEHICLES LOCALS USING A BOAT IN THE FLOODED AREA A WOMAN STANDING AT THE TOP OF A HOUSE SUBMERGED VEHICLES FLOODED STREET CLOSED SHOPS IN THE STREET SAND BAGS PILED ON FLOODED ROAD FLOODED STREETS
- Embargoed: 9th October 2010 09:18
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Weather
- Reuters ID: LVAD27S7RAEPLLNSN0G49QZDY4W7
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Incessant rains once again cause the Yamuna River to swell, increasing the threat of floods in national capital New Delhi and raising new concerns if the capital city would be ready to host the Commonwealth Games next week.
Floods hit several areas of Indian capital New Delhi as water level of the River Yamuna went up to over two metres above the danger mark on Thursday morning (September 23) after two days of heavy rainfall.
Floods could not have happened in worth time for India as more nations delayed their teams' arrivals in New Delhi for the Commonwealth Games due to open on October 3 and organisers raced against time to address security and health concerns that have already led several top athletes to pull out.
New Zealand joined Canada and Scotland in delaying its arrival in New Delhi due to poor accommodation for athletes, compounded by heavy monsoon rains and a dengue epidemic. A Dengue epidemic has spread through New Delhi, sending thousands of people to hospital.
Worried locals complained about the conditions of Delhi, saying they have worsened with the rain.
"Flood in the river has badly affected Delhi. After the occurrence of flood in '78, we are seeing flash floods now. Now the living conditions of Delhi have worsened. A little rain can cause traffic jams in the city. Various places of the city are in bad condition due to incessant rain," said local resident Ravinder Jain.
The River Yamuna saw the water level soaring above the danger mark for the fifth time since the monsoon hit Delhi this year. The water level in River Yamuna is currently 207 meters, two meters above the danger mark.
The Games, held every four years for members of the organisation of mostly former British colonies, are estimated to have cost $3-6 billion. India had hoped to use them to display its growing global economic and political clout, rivalling China. Instead, they have snowballed into a major embarrassment for the government, having to fend off criticism of shoddy construction, inadequate security and unfit accommodation.
In a sign of desperation, the federal government ordered the organising committee to hand over management of the Games Village, which will house 6,500 athletes, to the government. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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