Noida/Ghaziabad, Sept. 3 -- As Yamuna river swelled on Tuesday following continuous rainfall and heavy discharge from upstream barrages, causing water levels to rise in low-lying areas near the floodplains in Noida and Ghaziabad. District administrations responded swiftly by relocating families, cattle, and stray animals to relief centres as a precautionary measure. According to irrigation department data, the discharge from the Okhla barrage reached 86,330 cusecs on Tuesday, with the water level at 199.25 metres, just below the danger mark of 200.60 metres. Officials indicated the situation could peak by late Tuesday night, with discharge expected to rise to nearly two lakh cusecs. In Ghaziabad, the rising water level in the Yamuna was attributed to the release of 153,767 cusecs of water from the Hathnikund barrage. The water level near Loni reached 211 metres on Tuesday evening against the highest flood level (HFL) of 212.15 metres recorded in 2023. The previous HFL at Loni was 211.4 metres in 2013. The Hindon River in Noida remained stable with a discharge of 5,254 cusecs and a water level at 199.95 metres, well below its danger mark of 205.08 metres. BK Singh, executive engineer, irrigation department, Gautam Budh Nagar, stated, "The situation at the Hindon is completely safe. If flooding occurs, it will only impact areas within the embankments, while colonies and habitations outside remain absolutely normal." Officials reported that only three to four sparsely populated villages near the Yamuna embankment in Gautam Budh Nagar were affected, while other vulnerable areas lay in Ghaziabad. Singh explained, "We are conducting constant patrolling of the floodplains and maintaining strict vigilance to ensure outer areas remain unaffected. Our engineers are on the ground round the clock, and an adequate stock of material is available to address any situation that may arise." In Noida's Sector 135, a cow shelter was partially submerged, while villagers from Nangli Wajidpur began relocating their cattle. Local farmer Ramesh Kumar shared, "We had to leave our fields and move our cattle to the shelter. The water was rising near the Pushta, and we could not risk the animals." Nearly 150 people in Sadar and about 100 in Dadri were shifted to relief centres, while farmland in Jewar was submerged. The district administration established one relief centre each in Sadar, Dadri, and Jewar tehsils, equipped with community kitchens. Manoj Yadav, a farmer from Jewar, expressed concern: "Our crops are already under water, so this season's harvest is gone. What we worry about is how long the water will take to recede." At the Dadri relief centre, Sunita Devi, representing displaced families, said, "The children are scared, but here we are safe. Officials told us once water recedes, we can go back." Officials activated 20 flood posts across Gautam Budh Nagar: six in Sadar, nine in Dadri, and five in Jewar. Protective embankments and dams are positioned at Atta, Hindon-Yamuna Doab and Ilahabans in Sadar; Kulesara and Amanabad in Dadri; and Atta and the Chaudhary Charan Singh Jewar-Tappal embankment in Jewar. Sanjay Mohapatra, founder of House of Stray Animals, reported extensive rescue efforts: "We have rescued around 150 animals, including cattle, donkeys, goats and others, and relocated them to our centre in Sector 135. The facility can accommodate about 300 animals and is equipped with water, food, shelter and medicines. Around five to seven other NGOs are also supporting the effort." Singh noted: "During the 2023 floods, the discharge had reached 3.72 lakh cusecs, which we managed safely. In comparison, the current expected maximum of two lakh cusecs is well within capacity." The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 23.5 mm rainfall in Gautam Budh Nagar till 8.30am Tuesday, with humidity levels at 96%. A yellow alert was issued for September 2 for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, while light to moderate rain is expected through the week. Meanwhile, Ghaziabad recorded 27.5 mm rainfall till 8.30am on Tuesday, with similar weather patterns continuing....