Yamuna water level recedes below danger mark in Delhi

Delhi’s Yamuna River water level has finally receded below the warning mark of 204.5 meters after weeks of intense flooding triggered by heavy rains in the capital and its upper catchment areas. According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), as of 8 am on Wednesday, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge (ORB) stood at 204.26 meters.

The flood situation in Delhi became critical on July 9 when the Yamuna breached the warning threshold due to torrential rains.

The city witnessed extensive waterlogging and floods, exacerbated by receiving 125 percent of its monthly rainfall quota in just two days (July 8 and 9).

The river’s upper catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana also experienced heavy rainfall, leading to a significant increase in the Yamuna’s water levels.

On July 13, the river reached a record height of 208.66 meters, surpassing its previous record of 207.49 meters set back in September 1978. This caused the Yamuna to breach embankments and inundate parts of the city more severely than in over four decades.

The consequences of the floods have been devastating, with more than 27,000 people evacuated from their homes. The damage to property, businesses, and livelihoods has amounted to crores of rupees.

Experts have pointed to several factors contributing to the unprecedented flooding in Delhi. Encroachment on the river floodplain, extreme rainfall occurring within a short period, and silt accumulation that raised the riverbed have all played a significant role in exacerbating the flooding situation. (With inputs from PTI)