The water level of the Yamuna river in Delhi was recorded at 207.55, which is the highest ever. To deal with the flood situation and to help the people, the Delhi government has imposed section 144 of CRPC in flood prone areas. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal called a high-level meeting on the rising water level in Yamuna. He chaired an emergency meeting at the Secretariat to monitor the flood situation, in which ministers, mayors and officials from various departments were present.
Water from Haryana and Himachal Pradesh entered Delhi, for which the Delhi CM has written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting him to reduce the flow of water entering Delhi.
Steps taken by the government to deal with the situation
- Sixteen control rooms have been set up by the government to monitor flood-prone areas and the water level of the Yamuna.
- Divers and medical teams have been deployed with all necessary material and equipment.
- Officers have been instructed to be vigilant and take necessary action in sensitive areas.
- The Delhi Disaster Management Authority issued an advisory asking people to move to safer places and cautioned them against passing through low-lying areas.
About section 144
Section 144 is imposed in emergency situations or cases of nuisance in a given area or perceived threat of an event which has the potential to create disturbed conditions or cause damage to human life or property. Section 144 is used to prevent violence, riot, arson, fighting or communal quarrels in any place or city. Apart from this, Section 144 is imposed to maintain peace or restore peace at that place.
Restrictions under section 144
Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code basically prohibits the assembly of five or more people in the area where it is applicable. According to the law, those found to be part of such an 'unlawful assembly' can be booked for 'indulging in rioting'. The maximum punishment for such an act is three years.
Any action which prevents the police from breaking up an unlawful assembly is a punishable offence. In times of epidemics, guilds, warehouses and factories and other commercial establishments remain closed.
There is a ban on private vehicles due to the sealing of borders across the state, apart from this, public transport including state transport buses, metro remain closed.