The Yamuna river breached the danger mark in Delhi for the second time this year, crossing 205.35 metres at the Old Railway Bridge on Wednesday evening. Officials confirmed that heavy discharge from the Hathnikund Barrage, coupled with persistent rainfall in the upper catchments, has pushed the river level above the critical 205.33-metre mark, raising fears of potential flooding in vulnerable zones.
Data from the Central Water Commission indicated that the river had already crossed the warning level of 204.5 metres a day earlier. The rising inflow, which has remained above 60,000 cusecs per hour for nearly two days, is being closely monitored. According to flood control authorities, evacuation from low-lying settlements will be initiated if the level reaches 206 metres. Delhi has faced similar situations in the past, most notably in July 2023, when the river peaked at 208.6 metres, causing severe inundation across the city. Historically, the Yamuna touched 207.5 metres in 1978, 207.1 metres in 2010, and 207.3 metres in 2013. While 2024 had not recorded a major flood spell until now, the latest surge has revived anxiety among communities living along the floodplains.
The India Meteorological Department reported light to moderate showers across the city on Wednesday, with Ayanagar recording 29.3mm, Safdarjung 13.4mm, and Pusa 18.5mm. Weather officials forecast light rain or thundershowers for the next five days, warning that any additional rainfall in the Yamuna basin could exacerbate the situation. Delhi’s maximum temperature was recorded at 30.6°C, four notches below the seasonal average, while humidity levels remained high between 87 and 97 per cent. The relative coolness has been accompanied by favourable air quality, with the AQI standing at 71 in the ‘satisfactory’ category. Experts expect the air to remain in the satisfactory range through the end of August, aided by rain-induced dispersion of pollutants.
Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, the Ganga is also rising steadily, inching towards the danger mark in Varanasi and Prayagraj. In some areas, the swelling river has begun merging with its tributary Varuna, triggering localised flooding concerns. Experts from river monitoring groups caution that the pattern of high discharges from barrages and erratic rainfall is symptomatic of intensifying climate variability in the region. While flood control measures in Delhi have improved, the recurrent breaches of the Yamuna’s danger level highlight the urgent need for long-term floodplain management, sustainable river basin planning, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
For now, officials are maintaining round-the-clock surveillance and preparing contingency measures, but with water levels rising steadily, Delhi remains on alert.
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