Yamuna flows below danger mark, rainfall raises concerns

The Yamuna River in Delhi has gone below the danger mark of 205.33 meters, but it is expected to rise again due to heavy rain in the capital and upper catchment areas. As of 9 am, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge (ORB) was recorded at 205.09 meters, according to the Central Water Commission (CWC).

The Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi’s primary weather station, reported 37.1 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours until 8:30 am. Other weather stations in Lodhi Road, Ayanagar, Mungeshpur, and Mayur Vihar recorded varying amounts of precipitation.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rain in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand until July 27, which could contribute to the rising water levels in the Yamuna.

The river’s water level at the ORB has been consistently around the danger mark after reaching a record high of 208.66 meters on July 13. On Sunday, it breached the danger mark again following increased water discharge from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana, triggered by heavy rain in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. As a precautionary measure, train services on the ORB were suspended.

The rising water level is expected to impact ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in flood-affected low-lying areas of Delhi.

This month, Delhi has faced unprecedented waterlogging and floods. A torrential downpour on July 8 and 9 caused severe waterlogging, with the city receiving 125 percent of its monthly rainfall quota in just two days. Subsequent heavy rain in the upper catchment areas of the Yamuna, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana, caused the river to swell to record levels.

The recent flooding has resulted in over 27,000 people being evacuated from their homes, with extensive damages to properties, businesses, and livelihoods, amounting to crores of rupees.

Experts attribute the unprecedented flooding in Delhi to factors like encroachments on the river floodplain, intense rainfall within a short period, and silt accumulation that has elevated the riverbed. These factors have exacerbated the impact of heavy rainfall and contributed to the severity of the floods in the region. (With inputs from PTI)