The Yamuna river in Delhi is continuing its alarming rise, reaching a level of 207.09 meters at 3 pm on Wednesday. This marks only the fifth time since 1963 that the river has breached the 207-meter mark, a clear sign of the ongoing flood crisis.
According to data from the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) department, the river’s water level has been steadily climbing. It touched 207 meters at 1 pm, 207.04 meters at 2 pm, and was at 207.09 meters by 3 pm. This current level is just shy of the 2010 level of 207.11 meters. Based on the current trend, officials believe this could become the third-highest level ever recorded for the Yamuna in Delhi, after the record-breaking 208.66 meters in 2023 and 207.49 meters in 1978.
Revised Forecasts and Evacuation Efforts
The Central Water Commission (CWC) has responded to the relentless rise by revising its forecast. An earlier prediction suggested the river would stabilize and slightly dip, but the new forecast warns that levels could reach 207.40 meters by 8 pm on Wednesday, a level that would make it the second-highest on record.
In response to the escalating situation, the Delhi government has intensified its precautionary measures. Authorities have stepped up evacuation efforts, successfully shifting over 10,000 people from low-lying areas to safer ground. The Old Railway Bridge, a vital traffic artery, has also been closed to prevent any potential risks.
The rising water level is a result of continuous heavy rainfall in the river’s upper catchment areas and a significant, consistent discharge of water from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana. While officials have stated that a repeat of the unprecedented 2023 floods is unlikely, the current situation remains a serious concern for the National Capital Region.