Yamuna River Rises Above Safe Level After Continuous Rain
In a serious development, the Yamuna Flood Alert Delhi 2025 became official on July 22 as the river crossed the danger mark near the Old Railway Bridge in Delhi. Continuous rainfall in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh increased the water flow, causing panic in low-lying areas of the capital.
Due to the rising level, city officials ordered emergency evacuations from flood-prone neighborhoods like Yamuna Bazar, ITO, and parts of East Delhi. Authorities also deployed disaster response teams along the banks.
Yamuna Water Level Hits 207.12 Meters
At 9:00 AM on Tuesday, the Central Water Commission confirmed that the water level of the Yamuna River reached 207.12 meters. This level is well above the danger mark of 205.33 meters. The flow increased due to water release from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana.
Within just 24 hours, the river rose by nearly one meter. Officials expect the level to rise further if heavy rainfall continues in the hills.
Delhi Government Acts Swiftly
Chief Minister Arvind Sharma visited flood-hit areas and reviewed rescue operations. He directed all departments to stay alert. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority activated control rooms and helpline numbers for emergency support.
More than 10,000 people have moved to temporary shelters in safer parts of the city. Volunteers, school teachers, and civil defence teams are helping with food, water, and basic medical aid.
Evacuations from Low-Lying Areas
Authorities used boats, trucks, and buses to move people from flood-prone colonies. Rescue workers visited homes and asked residents to leave immediately. “Water reached our doorstep by morning. We had no time to save our belongings,” said Kavita, a resident of Yamuna Bazar.
The flood waters also affected homeless shelters, roadside shops, and even small temples along the riverbank.
Traffic and Metro Services Affected
Due to the flood alert, traffic police blocked roads near the river. Vehicles were diverted at ITO, Ring Road, and Rajghat. Long traffic jams appeared by afternoon as waterlogged streets slowed movement.
Additionally, Delhi Metro closed entry and exit at Yamuna Bank station as a safety step. Trains on the Blue Line ran on a modified schedule for several hours.
Rain in Hills Increases Risk
Continuous rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Western Uttar Pradesh caused most rivers in North India to swell. The increased volume flowed downstream into the Yamuna, raising flood threats in Delhi and nearby regions.
The IMD warned that heavy rainfall will likely continue in the hills for the next two days. This will further impact the flow in the Yamuna and its tributaries.
Farmers and Cattle Face Trouble
In rural parts near Delhi like Loni and Ghaziabad, farmers struggled to move their cattle to higher ground. Crops near the riverbank are already submerged. “We depend on this land for income, and now it’s underwater,” said Suresh, a local farmer.
The Animal Husbandry Department set up emergency shelters for livestock, but more arrangements are needed in outlying villages.
Schools and Offices Shut
As a safety measure, the Delhi government declared holidays for schools and colleges in East and Central Delhi districts. Many private firms allowed employees to work from home due to transport disruptions.
Students welcomed the break, but teachers worried about delayed lessons. Online classes were arranged in some institutions until normalcy returns.
Flood Shelters and Relief Camps
The Delhi government opened over 50 relief camps in safe zones like Mayur Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, and Burari. These camps provide cooked food, drinking water, toilets, and basic medicines. NGOs also joined hands to distribute hygiene kits and mosquito repellents.
Despite the arrangements, families in some shelters complained about overcrowding and lack of clean bedding. Officials promised to increase supplies by nightfall.
Health and Safety Concerns Rise
Doctors warned of infections due to contact with floodwater. Cases of stomach problems, skin rashes, and fevers already surfaced in a few shelters. The Health Department deployed mobile clinics and free medicine vans in the affected zones.
Furthermore, stagnant water increased the risk of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya. Officials began fogging operations in and around shelters.
Political Reactions to the Crisis
Opposition leaders blamed poor drainage and riverbank management for the crisis. In response, ruling party officials accused central agencies of delayed dam releases and poor weather forecasting.
Both sides agreed to hold an emergency all-party meeting to review the flood strategy and long-term prevention steps. The meeting is scheduled for July 24.
Rising Economic Costs of the Flood
Shopkeepers near the Yamuna lost stock worth lakhs as water entered their premises. Daily wage workers could not find work for two straight days. Transporters and delivery companies also faced major delays.
Economists estimate that the capital will suffer losses of over ₹300 crore if the situation continues for more than five days. “Short-term losses affect small traders the most,” said financial analyst Rajeev Mehta.
People Share Experiences Online
Residents shared flood photos and videos on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Hashtags like #YamunaFlood2025, #DelhiRains, and #FloodAlert went viral.
Social media helped spread awareness about shelter locations, helplines, and rescue updates. Celebrities and influencers also urged people to stay safe and follow government advice.
What Comes Next?
The next 48 hours remain critical for Delhi. If rainfall continues in Uttarakhand and Himachal, Yamuna’s water level may rise again. Officials said that continuous monitoring and real-time data from barrages will guide further evacuations.
Meanwhile, engineers from the Irrigation Department are reinforcing embankments with sandbags in weak spots. The Army and NDRF teams remain on standby in case of emergency flood breaches.