The Yamuna River in Delhi has risen to 204.14 metres, inching closer to the official warning level of 204.5 metres. Reports attribute the rise to continuous rainfall in the upper catchment areas of Haryana and Uttarakhand, raising concerns of further increase in water levels in the coming days.
Irrigation and Flood Control Department officials are keeping a careful eye on the situation, even though the current level is still below the danger threshold. The river's steady rise has been attributed by authorities to heavy inflow from the Hathnikund Barrage and ongoing rainfall.
In July 2023, the Yamuna in Delhi reached its highest recorded level of 208.66 meters, resulting in significant flooding in low-lying areas like Rajghat, Civil Lines, and Yamuna Bazaar. The administration has issued advisories asking residents in low-lying areas to remain vigilant and refrain from going near the riverbanks, as officials warn that the river may cross the warning mark in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
Uttar Pradesh faces flood threat
As the Ganga and Yamuna rivers both swell above normal levels, the situation in Uttar Pradesh has already gotten out of hand in some districts. In Prayagraj, flood-like conditions have emerged with water from the rivers entering residential zones. Over 15,000 homes in low-lying areas were inundated as of Saturday.
The Yamuna River in Naini touched 85.06 metres by 4 pm on Saturday, while the Ganga reached 84.96 metres in Phapamau, further worsening the situation. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been deployed in Prayagraj, conducting rescue operations using boats. In addition to evacuating residents from submerged areas, the team has been responding to distress calls.
The water level of the Ganga has dramatically increased in Varanasi due to heavy rainfall. Images from Tulsi Ghat show floodwaters getting closer to the steps, which raises concerns about additional flooding if the rains keep coming. As water levels continue to rise, authorities in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are on high alert and taking preventative measures to limit damage and protect the public.
Also Read: Heavy rain batters Delhi-NCR; waterlogging, traffic woes mount
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