Authorities in Delhi have advised residents of the Yamuna floodplain to move to safer areas, as the river’s water level continues to climb and is expected to touch the evacuation threshold of 206 metres
by Tuesday evening.
At 12 pm on Monday, the Yamuna was recorded at 204.87 metres at the Old Railway Bridge (ORB), already above the warning mark of 204.50 metres and inching past the danger level of 205.33 metres. Evacuation orders are triggered once the water reaches 206 metres. The ORB is a key monitoring point for tracking the river’s flow and potential flood risks in the capital.
The surge is linked to a heavy discharge of water from the Hathnikund Barrage, which released more than 329,000 cusecs at 9 am. Additionally, the Wazirabad barrage discharged nearly 38,900 cusecs, further adding to the rising level. Officials noted that water from upstream barrages usually takes 48 to 50 hours to reach Delhi, meaning current inflows are expected to push the river higher in the coming days.
In a flood warning issued Monday, officials said: “As the water level at ORB may cross the danger level and is likely to reach 206.50 metres, all officers are hereby advised to keep a vigil in their respective areas and to take necessary action at vulnerable points. People residing within the river embankments shall be warned, and arrangements must be made to shift them to safer places.”
The Irrigation and Flood Control Department cautioned that with continued rainfall in the upper catchment area, the Yamuna is likely to cross 206 metres between 5 pm and 8 pm on September 2.
Smaller upstream discharges are also contributing to the steady rise, keeping the city on alert as emergency teams prepare for possible evacuations.
