Yamuna level in Delhi continues to rise, evacuation underway

More than 7,500 people have been evacuated from low-lying flooded areas as the Yamuna river level rose to 207 metres at the Old Railway Bridge (ORB) on Wednesday at 1 pm, officials said.

The evacuees have been accommodated at 25 locations where relief camps have been set up.

“Across five districts, more than 7,500 people have been evacuated from five districts – east, north, southeast, northeast, and central. They have been shifted to relief camps at 25 locations, including tents, schools, etc.,” an official said.

The Yamuna river in Delhi had crossed the evacuation mark on Tuesday, as the water level was recorded at 206.03 metres and has been increasing since.

As the water level rose, people living in low-lying areas were evacuated by district authorities, and the ORB was closed for traffic.

“The reason for the rising water level is mostly due to the high volumes of water released from the Wazirabad and Hathnikund barrages every hour. The forecast indicates a further increase in the water level,” an official from the Central Flood Control Room added.

The river received a discharge of 1.62 lakh cusecs from Hathnikund Barrage and 1.38 lakh cusecs from Wazirabad Barrage at 8 am.

Read more

Nutrition is children’s best defence against pollution, say doctors

As India observes National Nutrition Week, leading dietitians and clinicians are warning that air pollution is silently damaging children’s health — but food itself could be the strongest defence.

Doctors across Delhi’s major hospitals say that the right nutrition can lower the risk of pollution-related diseases in children by as much as 70%. “Air pollution is no longer just about smog or visibility, it is about what goes into our children’s lungs every day,” said Shalini Verma, Dietitian at Dr RML Hospital.

Delhi: Several routes diverted as rising Yamuna forces closure of Old Iron Bridge

The Old Iron Bridge across the Yamuna river was closed for traffic and public movement from 4 PM on Tuesday till further orders due to the increasing water level, the Delhi Traffic Police said.

In an advisory on X, the police said the closure will remain in force till further orders, and commuters have been advised to avoid the route. Traffic diversions have been put in place at Hanuman Setu, Bela Road (behind Red Fort), and the east and west sides of the Old Iron Bridge.