Why Yamuna ghat residents refuse to leave despite floods and losses

Yamuna Ghats: Despite recurrent floods and mounting financial losses, residents living along the 31 ghats of the Yamuna River in Delhi remain steadfast in their refusal to relocate. For them, the river is not merely a waterbody but a living symbol of heritage, culture, tradition and faith.

During the floods, all home appliances, furniture, and painted surfaces are destroyed. In response, residents shift their belongings to the terraces of their homes and sleep there until the water recedes.

However, they allege that the authorities provide no meaningful support during such disasters. “Temporary camps are set up in nearby localities, but beyond that, no relief is given,” residents claim.

Roughly 150 houses situated along the Yamuna’s banks are home to over 650 people. The area is primarily inhabited by three communities — Bhramins, Nai, and Mallaah — who earn their livelihoods by performing religious rituals for visitors and devotees at the ghats.

Most residents belong to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) of society. Yet, despite the material losses, they remain deeply connected to the Yamuna and have no plans to leave.

Also read: Illegal construction surges on Yamuna floodplains despite court orders

Huge financial losses, but won’t relocate

For the ghat residents, the river is not just the site of work, but the source of community, identity, and spirituality.

Speaking to Patriot, Gopal Jha, General Secretary of the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) of Yamuna Bazar, said, “The residents of the area do not want to relocate to any other place in the national capital as their whole livelihood depends on the holy Yamuna River.”

Jha emphasised the interconnectedness of the three communities. “The Bhramins performs religious rituals, in which the Nai and Mallaah play crucial roles. For instance, if an individual comes to perform last rites at the ghat, who will do it if we all relocate?”

On the frequency of floods, Jha said, “Major flooding happens once in more than a decade. Usually, the water level does not reach flooding levels every year. Only when it crosses 204 metres does it enter homes, and before that, people shift their belongings to the terrace.”

Referring to the 2023 Delhi flood, he recounted, “I personally suffered a financial loss of nearly Rs 6 to 7 lakh. We had to find a temporary place to stay. I lost my fridge, television, air conditioner and other home appliances and furniture. But I can’t relocate permanently — my children study in a gurukul situated at the riverbank, and I earn my livelihood by performing religious rituals. If I relocate, how will I survive without work?”

Rajiv Sharma (42), a resident of Ghat Number 10, suffered losses of nearly Rs 2 lakh during the same flood, yet received no compensation.

“This place is our home. Our ancestors belonged here. It is both my birthplace and workplace,” said Sharma. “My children are studying in the gurukul situated at the ghats. I have a ration card with this address, an electricity metre, and all the required documents. Why would I relocate from this location?”

Sharma acknowledged the recurring damage but dismissed it as manageable. “I agree we face financial loss due to floods, but from Yamuna Ji, we have earned enough to cover those losses. That is not a big problem for us. Yamuna Ji hi humara ghar hai (Yamuna River is our home),” he said.

Flood relief still pending

The residents allege that the flood relief compensation promised by the then Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi Government was inadequate and poorly implemented.

Sunil Sharma (70), a resident of Ghat Number 21, said his family has been living in the same location for over a century and has endured many floods — but moving elsewhere, he said, “will not feel like home”.

On compensation, he said, “Only 10–15 people received a sum of Rs 10,000 from the government, after which they closed the file.”

He added that they have been running from pillar to post to claim compensation — a mere fraction of their actual losses — but even that has proved elusive.

Jha confirmed the lack of progress. “We met the District Magistrate regarding the families who did not get the compensation. The DM didn’t prioritise the matter. He said they had already paid the compensation and that the file is closed.”

Several families reportedly faced losses nearing Rs 1 lakh during the 2023 Delhi floods as their homes were submerged.

Raju Srivastava (name changed), a resident of Ghat Number 22, said, “We suffer losses every year when the Yamuna’s water level rises. Usually, it ranges between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000. Despite this, we do not want to relocate — our livelihoods are settled here. All three communities are connected. If we move, we will lose our earnings.”

Also Read: Plan to clean Yamuna by diverting Ganga water draws experts’ flak

Floodwaters rising again

On July 24 this year, the water level of the Yamuna rose to 204.08 metres — close to the official warning mark of 204.5 metres and raising fears of potential flooding. The danger level is set at 205.33 metres at the Old Railway Bridge, which serves as Delhi’s designated flood forecasting and monitoring site.

This month also marks two years since the devastating 2023 floods, when the Yamuna surpassed its 1978 high of 208.66 metres. Large parts of the city were inundated, residents were displaced, and drinking water supply was disrupted.

Yet for the residents along the ghats, the flood is not the final word — faith, community, and livelihood bind them to the river more firmly than any rising tide.