Khattar wants lakes around Delhi to avoid floods

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday directed senior officers to get about 50 lakes or reservoirs built in areas that surround Delhi to pre-empt flooding in the rainy season.

"During monsoon, the flow of water increases in rivers. It also increases the chance of low-lying areas getting flooded. The excess water would be collected in these lakes or reservoirs to avoid such a situation," Khattar said at a review meeting of irrigation and water resources department on Thursday.

Haryana surrounds the national capital Delhi from three sides.

The Chief Minister directed the officers to get these lakes or reservoirs constructed on barren or saline land and after identifying such areas, they should be developed as lakes or reservoirs, an official spokesman said.

The Yamuna, which passes through Delhi, flows through Haryana first and crosses the danger mark during the rainy season.-IANS