Yamuna Floods Delhi as River Crosses Danger Mark, Evacuations Underway
Heavy rainfall across the National Capital Region has caused the Yamuna river to breach its danger mark of 205.33 metres in Delhi, leading to flooding in low-lying areas. The water level at the Old Yamuna Bridge was recorded at 205.80 metres on Tuesday morning. Floodwaters have entered homes in several areas, including Mayur Vihar, prompting authorities to begin evacuating residents from the river's floodplains. An orange alert has been issued for Gurugram, with offices urged to allow work-from-home.
Unpacked:
The current flood saw the Yamuna river breach 205.80 metres, above the danger mark. Historically, the worst flood on record was in 1978, when the river reached 207.49 metres, causing widespread devastation. Delhi has experienced major floods in 1924, 1947, 1977, 1978, 1988, 1995, 2010, 2013, and 2019, with varying severity and impact.
Heavy rainfall, especially over short periods, leads to a rapid rise in water levels. Additionally, water releases from upstream barrages like Hathnikund contribute to flooding. Urbanization, encroachments on floodplains, and the river’s narrow, silted channel exacerbate overflow risks during such events.
Authorities have begun evacuating residents from floodplains, set up relief camps, issued alerts for vulnerable areas, and restricted movement on bridges. Offices and schools in affected regions like Gurugram are urged to switch to work-from-home and online classes to reduce risk and congestion.
Gurugram received over 100 mm of rain in four hours, causing severe waterlogging and traffic jams. The orange alert signals a high risk of flooding, urging offices to allow work-from-home and schools to switch to online classes, aiming to protect residents and ease emergency responses.