Yamuna River Water Level Nears Warning Mark in Delhi Amid Heavy Rains
The water level of the Yamuna river in Delhi has risen to 204.14 metres, inching closer to the warning level of 204.5 metres, as persistent rainfall continues to lash the upper catchment areas of Haryana and Uttarakhand. While the river currently flows below the danger mark in the capital, officials from the irrigation and flood control department are closely monitoring the situation, with predictions that the warning level could be breached within the next two days.
The rise in water level is attributed to a combination of continuous rainfall and the release of water from the Hathnikund barrage, which feeds the river. Authorities have issued advisories for people residing in low-lying areas, urging them to exercise caution and avoid going near the riverbanks. The situation brings back memories of July 2023, when the Yamuna reached a record high of 208.66 metres, causing extensive flooding in several low-lying parts of the capital, including Yamuna Bazaar, Rajghat, and Civil Lines.
Meanwhile, several regions in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh are already grappling with a flood-like situation. In Prayagraj, water from the Ganga and Yamuna rivers has inundated residential areas, prompting rescue and relocation efforts for those living in low-lying localities. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been deployed with boats to carry out rescue operations. By Saturday evening, floodwater had reportedly entered over 15,000 houses in the district, with the Yamuna reaching 85.06 metres in Naini and the Ganga rising to 84.96 metres in Phaphamau.
The situation is similar in Varanasi, where the Ganga has swollen dramatically due to heavy local rainfall. Visuals from the city’s famous Tulsi Ghat show the river’s water level rising perilously close to the steps of the ghat, indicating the severity of the current weather spell across the region. Officials continue to monitor the river systems as the monsoon remains active.
