Delhi is once again on flood alert as the Yamuna river surged to 205.22 metres at the Old Railway Bridge on Saturday morning, barely short of the officially declared danger level of 205.33 metres. The steady rise is being driven by massive discharges from upstream barrages following heavy monsoon rainfall in the northern hills, raising concerns of inundation in the low-lying areas of the capital.
Officials monitoring the river confirmed that the water being released from Hathnikund and Wazirabad barrages had reached unusually high volumes in the past 24 hours. Hathnikund is discharging nearly 46,968 cusecs of water every hour, while Wazirabad is adding 44,970 cusecs. With both barrages continuing to release water, the inflows into Delhi are expected to swell further in the coming two days. Water released upstream typically takes 48 to 50 hours to travel downstream, which means the capital could see another sharp rise in the next 48 hours.
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The Old Railway Bridge has long served as the city’s key observation post for flood monitoring. Authorities explained that water levels above 204.50 metres trigger a warning status, while a breach of the 205.33-metre threshold officially indicates danger. Preparations are already in motion, with relief and disaster management teams asked to stay alert. Evacuations typically begin when the river crosses 206 metres, threatening riverbed settlements, farmlands, and nearby habitations.
Experts highlighted that the crisis underlines the vulnerability of Delhi’s river management system, which continues to depend on manual evacuations and reactive measures rather than long-term resilience strategies. Each year, rising water levels bring the same threat of flooding, while unregulated construction, encroachments along the floodplain, and lack of sustainable urban planning add to the risks. The increasing frequency of such alerts, officials observed, signals the urgent need for eco-friendly flood mitigation, better drainage systems, and responsible city planning in the face of changing climate patterns.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority has directed all agencies to strengthen embankments, monitor waterlogging-prone areas, and prepare temporary shelters in case evacuation orders are issued. Environmental planners have also stressed that the Yamuna’s rising level should not only be viewed as a seasonal flood threat but as a reminder of the urgent push for greener, equitable and climate-resilient infrastructure. With monsoon rains far from over, the capital is bracing for uncertain days ahead. While officials continue to monitor water levels by the hour, citizens in low-lying belts are being urged to remain vigilant and comply with evacuation advisories, should they be announced.
