New Delhi: Following heavy rainfall in Delhi on September 1, the water level of the Yamuna River has started to rise dramatically, leading to flood-like conditions in the city. As a precaution, authorities have announced the closure of the Old Railway Bridge (ORB) starting the evening of September 2. Officials report that while the situation is currently manageable, the next 24 hours will be critical.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of further rain in the capital. By noon on Monday, the Yamuna’s water level had reached 204.87 meters, alarmingly close to the danger mark of 205.33 meters. There are concerns that by Tuesday evening, the river could rise to 206 meters, which is considered an evacuation threshold.
This August has seen unprecedented rainfall, with a total of 399.8 mm recorded, breaking a 15-year record. The previous high was in August 2010, when 455.8 mm was logged. Additionally, a brief downpour in Gurugram on Monday evening caused significant traffic disruptions, resulting in a 12 km-long jam on the NH48 Delhi-Gurugram highway.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has assured residents that the drainage system was thoroughly cleaned earlier, minimizing blockages. She confirmed that all gates at the barrage are open, continuously releasing water, which could potentially raise the Yamuna to 207 meters. Gupta reminded the public that in 2023, the river had surpassed 208 meters. She emphasized that there is no immediate cause for alarm and that water levels are under constant observation.
The river’s level is projected to hit 206 meters by the evening of September 2, prompting evacuations in low-lying areas. A significant volume of water-approximately 329,313 cusecs-was released from the Hathinikund Barrage at 9 AM, while 38,900 cusecs flowed from the Wazirabad Barrage. Delhi Divisional Commissioner Neeraj Semwal indicated that over 300,000 cusecs of water will continue to be released in the following days, yet assured that flooding is expected to affect only the Yamuna floodplain and low-lying regions, indicating no threat of widespread flooding in Delhi.
Authorities are closely monitoring the Yamuna’s rising levels due to continuous rainfall and the situation’s evolving nature, underscoring the importance of staying informed as developments unfold.
Original Source: https://www.india.com/news/delhi/delhi-flood-yamuna-about-to-touch-danger-mark-orb-closed-next-24-hours-very-crucial-imd-ncr-gurugram-rekha-gupta-hathinikund-barrage-wazirabad-barrage-8048044/
Category: Delhi,India,Delhi flood,IMD,Yamuna river
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Publish Date: 2025-09-02 01:37:00
