NEW DELHI – The Delhi government has issued a flood alert as the water level of the Yamuna River is expected to rise significantly, potentially exceeding the danger mark of 206.50 meters. The alert follows a massive discharge of water—3.29 lakh cusecs from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana, the highest discharge this monsoon season.
A government order instructed officials to maintain “strict vigil” and patrol low-lying areas, particularly those along the river embankments. Residents of these vulnerable areas have been advised to shift to safer places. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has also taken precautionary measures, shutting down traffic on the Old Railway Bridge from Tuesday evening as the river is forecast to reach the evacuation level of 206 meters.
Relief Camps and Record Rainfall
The latest warning comes as parts of Delhi are already experiencing flood-like conditions. A flood relief camp was set up in Mayur Vihar to accommodate residents from low-lying areas. According to a local resident, these temporary camps are crucial for providing shelter to people whose homes are at risk of being submerged.
The high water discharge from the Hathnikund Barrage is a direct result of an exceptionally wet August. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that rainfall in August 2025 was the highest in decades for several parts of the country, with North-West India recording its wettest August since 2001. The IMD attributed this to a “rapid revival of the monsoon” from mid-August, driven by the formation of four low-pressure systems.
Officials have been closely monitoring the situation, with a team of irrigation and flood control personnel on high alert. While the city braces for the incoming water, officials are working to ensure that measures are in place to prevent a repeat of the severe flooding experienced in 2023.