Will Delhi Flood Again? Yamuna Level Nears Danger Mark

On Thursday morning, Delhi officials raised alarms as the Yamuna River crossed the warning level of 204.5 metres. By evening, the level reached 205.05 metres, prompting government agencies to begin alerting residents in low-lying areas to prepare for possible evacuation. The warning mark was breached at around 5am.

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Evacuation Plans Ready

Authorities confirmed that actual evacuation efforts will begin if the river touches the 206-metre mark. As part of the Flood Action Plan 2025, all district magistrates were instructed to deploy 65 civil defence volunteers each. These personnel will stay on duty until October 31, 2025, ensuring continued preparedness across Delhi.

Old Bridge May Shut

With the water level climbing steadily, officials have started public announcements urging people to shift to safer areas. An official noted that if the level reaches 206 metres, residents will be moved to tents and traffic on the Old Railway Bridge will be suspended to ensure safety.

No Panic, Says Minister

Delhi’s Irrigation & Flood Control Minister, Parvesh Verma, visited several critical sites on Thursday. He reassured the public that while seasonal spikes are normal, the situation is under control. Unlike in 2023, all ITO barrage gates are open, allowing a smoother water flow and reducing flood risks significantly.

CWC Issues Fresh Forecast

The Central Water Commission (CWC) has forecasted further rise in the river's level, possibly reaching 205.25 metres by 10am Friday—very close to the danger level of 205.33 metres. Comparatively, in 2023, the Yamuna had soared to 208.66 metres following massive water discharge from the Hathnikund barrage.

On-Ground Teams Active

Footage from various areas showed I&FC teams using boats and loudspeakers to inform locals about the rising water. “Take your belongings and move to higher ground,” echoed the warnings as officials made their rounds through vulnerable areas.

Full Flood Plan in Place

Minister Verma highlighted that all SDMs are actively monitoring developments. Emergency teams, engineers, and flood control units are working non-stop. Critical systems like barrages, regulators, and drainage pumps are under strict surveillance. Drain cleaning and backup arrangements have also been thoroughly checked.

Heavy Inflow from Haryana

The current rise is linked to significant inflow from Haryana. On Wednesday, the Yamuna level was at 204.15 metres at 6pm due to an hourly discharge of 61,729 cusecs from the Hathnikund barrage. The discharge stayed above 50,000 cusecs for several hours, pushing water levels up steadily from 203.61 metres on Tuesday.

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