Heavy rainfall since yesterday has pushed the Yamuna river in Delhi above its danger mark, flooding low-lying areas and bringing daily life to a standstill.
Rising water levels disrupt city life
The Yamuna overflowed this morning after continuous rain. Water entered homes in parts of Delhi and neighbouring NCR areas. Traffic slowed to a crawl, with major congestion reported near the Delhi-Gurugram border.
Authorities had already warned residents living near the riverbanks to move to safer places. The rising water has also forced the closure of schools in some affected districts as a safety measure.
Floodgates opened and roads closed
To ease the pressure, officials released water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana on Monday. Despite this, the river continues to swell. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority has decided to stop movement on the Old Railway Bridge from Tuesday evening to prevent accidents.
Commuters faced a long traffic jam yesterday on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, with vehicles stuck for more than three hours due to flooding in Gurugram.
Government appeals for calm
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta urged people to remain calm. She explained that water reaching the floodplains is a natural process and part of the river’s ecosystem. The Haryana government has asked all field officers to stay at their posts and monitor the situation closely until September 5.
Flights affected and more rain predicted
The heavy rain has also disrupted flights at Delhi airport. Airlines have issued travel advisories because of waterlogging and poor visibility.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast cloudy skies with light rain and thundershowers from September 2 to 4, 2025. Authorities are keeping a close watch to prevent a repeat of the 2023 floods, when over 25,000 people were evacuated.
