Delhi five day rain forecast as Yamuna rises near danger
Delhi-NCR is set to witness an extended spell of rain over the next five days, with the Yamuna River rising alarmingly close to the danger mark, according to weather officials. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cloudy skies, intermittent showers and the possibility of heavy rainfall at isolated locations, particularly in the mornings and late evenings.
The wet phase, expected to last until 6 September, is being attributed to an active monsoon trough stretching from northwest to central India, influenced by cyclonic circulations over Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, coupled with a western disturbance in the north. Rainfall intensity is likely to peak in the next two days before easing into lighter spells from 2 September.On Sunday, most parts of the national capital remained dry, though neighbouring towns such as Noida and Ghaziabad recorded minimal rainfall. Temperatures across Delhi ranged from 31.6°C in Ghaziabad to 34.4°C at Safdarjung, with minimum levels varying between 23.4°C and 27.1°C. Despite the showers, the mercury has largely remained close to seasonal norms, easing the discomfort of residents after a prolonged humid stretch.
The Yamuna River, however, continues to pose concern. By Sunday evening, water levels at the Old Railway Bridge touched 205.12 metres, barely a fraction below the official danger threshold of 205.33 metres. Authorities have clarified that while the warning level is 204.50 metres, evacuation measures begin once the river breaches 206 metres. Officials are keeping a close watch, mindful of recent monsoon inundations that had severely disrupted life in low-lying areas of the capital.
Experts suggest that the recurring risk of the Yamuna swelling to hazardous levels underscores the urgent need for climate-resilient urban planning. Rapid concretisation and unchecked construction along floodplains have weakened the city’s natural drainage capacity. Sustainable water management and restoration of wetlands could act as buffers against extreme weather events, which are projected to intensify under the climate crisis.The prolonged wet spell could also benefit groundwater recharge, a positive for a region grappling with depleting aquifers. However, unchecked stormwater runoff into open drains risks aggravating urban flooding, highlighting the fragile balance between rain as a resource and rain as a hazard.
Officials have urged residents to remain cautious in flood-prone zones, while city planners are once again faced with a pressing reminder: Delhi’s growth cannot come at the expense of its ecological resilience. The challenge lies in building a capital that is not only economically vibrant but also environmentally sustainable and socially equitable.
