New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS): Rail traffic over the Old Yamuna Bridge was temporarily suspended on Tuesday as the water level in the Yamuna river continued to rise, Northern Railways said.

The river was flowing at 206.04 metres at 9 p.m. — more than a metre above the danger mark of 204.83 metres, a railway official said.

He said that the trains will now be diverted from New Delhi railway station as the water level is expected to rise further.

Old Yamuna Bridge is a road-cum-rail bridge on the Delhi-Howrah line that was built over 150 years ago. It serves as a major connectivity link between Delhi and the neighbouring states.

The highest water level recorded at Old Yamuna Bridge was 207.49 metres in 1978. It was 207.11 metres in 2010 and 207.32 metres in 2013, according to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority.

Heavy rain coupled with the release of excess water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana had led to swelling of the Yamuna and forced the Delhi government to evacuate over 14,000 people from low-lying areas along the river in the national capital.