New Delhi, Sep 13 - The Yamuna river Sunday breached its danger mark and submerged hundreds of shanties and areas in what is generally termed as the 'vegetable belt' of the national capital. Nearly 1,200 people have been shifted to safer areas, officials said.

'The river is flowing at 205.28 metres (at 5.30 p.m.), which is well above the danger mark of 204.83 metres. But the level has remained constant,' Rakesh Khanna, officer in charge of flood control in Delhi, told IANS.

'Low-lying areas like Usmanpur, Sonia Vihar, parts of Okhla, Sultanpuri, and Garhi are submerged. We have rescued nearly 1,200 people so far. Large patches of lands generally used for vegetable and flower cultivation are completely under water,' he added.

Khanna said that though some people are reluctant to leave their homes, 'we are persuading them shift to safe places'.

'At least 17 rescue boats are on the job and we have makeshift tents and relief camps for them.