13 July 2023, Mumbai: The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi has reached an alarming height of 208.48 meters, posing a significant threat of flooding to prominent areas of the city. Submerged locations such as ITO, Red Fort, and Delhi Secretariat have already experienced the impact of the rising waters. Of particular concern is the proximity of India Gate, a mere three to four kilometers away from the riverbank, as well as the flooded Ring Road and IP Flyover. The Yamuna’s rapid rise, surpassing a 45-year-old record, has triggered concerns about the potential flooding of key government offices and major traffic disruptions.
Delhi Secretariat Submerged as Yamuna River Reaches Record Heights
The floodwater has already spread into major areas of Northeast Delhi, affecting locations like Kashmere Gate, Majnu Ka Tilla, and Civil Lines. The Delhi Secretariat, which houses the offices of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his cabinet, and senior bureaucrats, succumbed to the floodwaters on Thursday. The road connecting Rajghat to the Delhi Secretariat also became submerged, exacerbating the challenges faced by the affected areas.
India Gate and Government Offices at Risk as Yamuna Waters Surge
The impending flooding around India Gate is poised to have a profound impact on the operations of top government offices and result in severe traffic disruptions. This area is home to the Prime Minister’s office, the President’s residence, and key ministries such as Home, Finance, Defence, and External Affairs. Additionally, significant union government offices like Rail Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, Shashtri Bhawan, and Krishi Bhawan are located in close proximity to the Kartavya Path adjoining India Gate.
Impending Floods Raise Concerns for Key Government Institutions and Traffic in Delhi
The rise in the Yamuna’s water level has brought immense hardships to the residents living near the river. With the anticipated release of more water from Haryana’s Hathnikund barrage, areas housing the Indian Parliament, Supreme Court, and India Gate itself may also face the risk of submersion. This escalating situation further intensifies concerns for the safety and well-being of the affected communities.
Heavy Rainfall in Himachal Pradesh Causes Yamuna Water Levels to Rise
The primary cause behind the rise in the Yamuna’s water level is the heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, which has led to the filling up of the Hathnikund barrage. The overflow of water from the barrage has had a significant impact on the rising water levels in the Yamuna River. Notably, there are no dams on the river, resulting in unutilized monsoon flow that often leads to floods during this season.
Experts Attribute Raging Yamuna in Delhi to Intense Rainfall
According to experts, extreme rainfall occurring within a short duration is the primary factor responsible for the raging Yamuna in Delhi. Manu Bhatnagar, Principal Director of the Natural Heritage Division at the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), has identified this intense rainfall as the main reason behind the rising water levels. Additionally, Yashveer Bhatnagar, the country representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), attributes the record water level in the Yamuna to intense rainfall throughout the upper catchment area.
Floods Inundate Multiple Areas in Delhi, Disrupting Normal Life
The flood impact in Delhi has been widespread, affecting various areas in the city. In addition to the flooding of the Delhi Secretariat, areas like ITO, Boat Colony, Geeta Colony, Gandhi Nagar, Ashok Nagar, and Pandav Nagar have been inundated. The Ring Road stretch between Kashmere Gate and Purana Lohe Ka Pul has experienced flooding and remains closed to traffic. Furthermore, the closure of Shamshan Ghat in Geeta Colony and disruptions on the GT Karnal Road and near Nigam Bodh Ghat highlight the extent of the flood-affected regions.
Rising Yamuna Waters Disrupt Traffic Movement in Delhi’s Key Routes
As a result of the rising water level of the Yamuna, traffic movement has been severely affected on key roads in Delhi. Mahatma Gandhi Marg between the IP Flyover and Chandgi Ram Akhara, as well as between Kalighat Mandir and Delhi Secretariat, has experienced disruptions. Additionally, the Outer Ring Road between Wazirabad Bridge and Chandgi Ram Akhara has been affected, exacerbating the traffic congestion caused by the flood situation.