The Yamuna is rising again: How prepared is Delhi for another flood?
Delhi is under the shadow of recurrent flooding threats as the Yamuna River inches closer to its danger threshold. The catastrophic floods from the previous year resulted in the displacement of thousands and interrupted vital public services. Fortunately, this year has seen reduced upstream water releases, offering a brief respite; however, the risk of heavy rainfall above could still ignite a…
The Yamuna river has once again risen above the danger mark, raising concerns about another flood in Delhi. After inundating large parts of the city last year, the river is flowing at 205.59 meters, just slightly above the danger mark of 205.33 meters at the Old Iron Railway Bridge. While the immediate threat may be lower, heavy rain in the upper catchment could quickly change the situation, exposing the city's vulnerability to flooding.
The vulnerability is inherent in Delhi's geography, with the city closely monitoring the Yamuna every monsoon season. As the river rises, thousands of people living and working along the floodplains face risks. Roads and critical infrastructure can also be affected, as seen during last year's crisis when the Yamuna reached 207 meters and forced more than 10,000 people to evacuate.
While the Yamuna has remained relatively stable this year, the India Meteorological Department has warned of possible heavy rainfall in the coming days, which could further exacerbate the situation. Environmentalist Kavita Ashok emphasizes that the floodplain acts as a natural buffer, helps recharge groundwater, and performs ecological functions. However, excessive rain could overwhelm the floodplain, strain sanitation systems, and lead to more significant flooding and displacement for residents.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
