Yamuna River Swells to All-Time High in Delhi

New Delhi, July 13, 2023: New Delhi woke up to a worsening flood situation as the water level in the Yamuna River continued to rise overnight, inundating homes and roads and necessitating immediate emergency actions. At 7 am today, the water level in the Yamuna reached 208.46 meters, a staggering three meters above the danger mark, as water continued to be released from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana.

Amidst the escalating crisis, the Arvind Kejriwal-led government urged the central government to intervene and halt the discharge of water from the barrage. However, the central government responded that the excess water had to be released to maintain the safety of the barrage.

The Hathnikund barrage filled up rapidly due to heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, triggering large-scale destruction in the region. As a result, Delhi’s Civil Lines area experienced flooding, with the Ring Road submerged and the stretch connecting Majnu ka Tila with Kashmiri Gate ISBT closed. This area is a mere 500 meters from Chief Minister Kejriwal’s residence and the Delhi Assembly.

Due to the rising water level, the water treatment plant at Wazirabad had to be shut down. Chief Minister Kejriwal is expected to visit the site later today. In response to the waterlogging situation, the Chief Minister announced the closure of all schools, both government-run and private. He appealed to citizens to stay away from flooded areas and assured that the administration is actively evacuating affected regions.

The Central Water Commission has predicted a gradual decrease in water flow from the Haryana barrage starting from 2 pm onwards. In the meantime, people have been advised to avoid using the Nigambodh Ghat cremation ground, as the flood situation has severely impacted Old Delhi.

With 12 teams of the National Disaster Response Force engaged in rescue operations, the city is grappling with the hardships caused by the surging Yamuna River. Evacuations have taken place, and gatherings have been prohibited in vulnerable areas to ensure the safety of residents.

Despite receiving relatively limited rainfall in recent days, the discharge from Haryana has caused the Yamuna’s water level to reach an unprecedented high. Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes as the floodwaters surged in. Delhi is witnessing the heaviest monsoon rainfall in decades, exacerbating the challenges posed by the current flood situation.