The Yamuna River in Delhi surpassed its danger mark, triggering floods and evacuations as heavy rains battered northern India.
Heavy rainfall across northern India pushed the Yamuna River in Delhi past its danger mark of 205.33 metres on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, flooding low-lying areas and prompting the evacuation of nearly 10,000 residents, as authorities scrambled to manage widespread disruptions.
Why It Matters
The Yamuna’s breach in Delhi, coupled with heavy rain across northern India, disrupts millions of lives, damages infrastructure, and threatens food security, impacting South Asia’s economic hub and regional stability.
Yamuna River Danger Mark in Delhi: Rising Water Levels
The Central Water Commission (CWC) reported that the Yamuna river at Delhi’s Old Railway Bridge reached 206.36 metres by Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 10:00 PM, exceeding the danger mark of 205.33 metres and the evacuation threshold of 206 metres. According to the CWC on X, the river’s rapid rise was driven by high discharges from upstream barrages: 1.76 lakh cusecs from Hathnikund, 93,260 cusecs from Wazirabad, and 1.15 lakh cusecs from Okhla. This marks the second time this season the danger mark was breached, following an earlier rise to 205.35 metres on Wednesday, August 28, 2025.
Low-lying areas like Mayur Vihar and Yamuna Bazar saw floodwaters enter homes, forcing residents to relocate to relief camps. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) closed the Old Railway Bridge to traffic from 5:00 PM on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, to prevent accidents. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta urged calm, stating, “The government is fully prepared to handle the situation,” with 58 boats, 675 life jackets, and 82 mobile pumps deployed.
Widespread Impact of Heavy Rain in Northern India
Heavy rainfall since Monday, September 1, 2025, has paralysed Delhi-NCR and neighbouring states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 37.8 mm of rainfall at Delhi’s Safdarjung station and 48.9 mm at Aya Nagar by Tuesday evening, with an orange alert issued for moderate to heavy showers until Saturday, September 7, 2025. Waterlogging caused severe traffic congestion, notably a four-kilometre jam on NH-48 in Gurugram and flooding on the Delhi-Meerut Highway in Ghaziabad.
In Punjab, the government reported 30 deaths and the evacuation of 20,000 people since August 1, 2025, with 150,000 hectares of crops destroyed. According to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on X, the state faces its worst floods since 1988, with the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers exceeding danger levels. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand reported landslides, with three deaths in Mandi district and road closures on the Kedarnath highway.
Government and Relief Efforts
Delhi’s Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) department has activated a comprehensive flood response plan, with 58 boats, 5,67,200 eco bags, and 14,370 bamboo sticks pre-positioned. Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh instructed officials to maintain round-the-clock patrols, particularly in the vulnerable Najafgarh Basin. The DDMA banned idol immersions and restricted public movement near the river to prevent further risks.
Relief camps in Mayur Vihar and along highways are sheltering displaced residents. The IMD has forecasted a slight easing of rainfall after Wednesday, September 3, 2025, but warned of potential cloudbursts and landslides in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
Background
The Yamuna River, originating in Uttarakhand’s Yamunotri glacier, spans 22 km through Delhi, where its floodplains are prone to encroachment. In July 2023, the river hit a 45-year high of 208.66 metres, flooding key areas like Rajghat and ITO. Experts attribute recurring floods to climate-driven extreme rainfall, poor drainage, and silt accumulation, raising the riverbed. The 2025 monsoon, with 253.7 mm of rainfall in Punjab (74% above normal), is among the most intense in decades.
What’s Next
As authorities monitor the Yamuna river danger mark Delhi situation, focus will shift to rehabilitation and strengthening urban infrastructure to mitigate future flood risks in the capital and beyond.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, September 3rd, 2025
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