A man rows his boat across the swollen Yamuna river during the monsoon season, near Signature Bridge on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The water level of the Yamuna river in Delhi breached the ‘danger level’ on Saturday afternoon. It continued to rise further and is likely to fall below the level by Sunday morning, according to the Central Water Commission (CWC) data.
The water level of the Yamuna at Old Railway Bridge in Delhi was 205.52 metres at 8 p.m. on Saturday, as per the data.
The ‘warning level’ is 204.5 metres and the ‘danger level’ is 205.33 metres. The water level is likely to be 205 metres at 8 p.m. on Sunday, as per the data.
The level of the Yamuna in Delhi increases when the release from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana (upstream of Delhi) increases, due to high rainfall in upstream areas.
The Yamuna breaches the ‘danger level’ in Delhi during most monsoons, and people living close to the river are evacuated from six of the total 11 affected districts. But this does not generally bring the city to a standstill, as only low-lying areas are affected.
However, in July 2023, Delhi experienced its worst flood on record, with many arterial roads and areas in the city’s heart being flooded.
According to the Delhi government’s protocol, about 12,500 people are to be evacuated from the six affected districts after the Yamuna crosses the evacuation mark of 206 metres.
The administration has set up tents in low-lying areas across different parts of the city, but evacuation has not yet begun, according to officials.
After the water level crosses the ‘warning level’, announcements are made via boats in low-lying areas to alert people about the rising water level by the DDMA and the Delhi Police, as per protocol.
Published – August 31, 2025 01:06 am IST
