The Yamuna river’s water level in Delhi reached the third-highest ever recorded at 207.39 metres today, amid massive flooding on the riverbank which affected both residential and commercial areas.
The floods in 1978 and 2023 were the other two times when the Yamuna river’s water level rose to record levels.
Areas including Yamuna Bazar, Geeta Colony, Majnu Ka Tila, Kashmiri Gate, Garhi Mandu, and Mayur Vihar are flooded. Most of these places have a mix of both commercial and residential buildings.
Over 14,000 people have been evacuated so far, officials said, adding rescue operations are continuing. Relief camps have been set up at ITO, Mayur Vihar, and Geeta Colony.
Traffic on Outer Ring Road has been hit, with the road from ITO towards Ring Road no longer motorable due to ingress of floodwater. Vasudev Ghat, Monastery Market, and the Old Delhi Railway Bridge have been closed.
Floodwater from the Yamuna river started entering the Nigambodh Ghat, Delhi’s oldest and busiest cremation ground, which might halt operations if the water level rises, officials said today.
“As of now, it has not been shut, but if the floodwater rises, it might be closed for the time being,” a municipal officer told news agency PTI.
Located along the Ring Road behind the Red Fort, Nigambodh Ghat, with a capacity of 42 cremation platforms, is the national capital’s oldest, largest and busiest cremation ground.
“The number of cremations has reduced, but rituals are ongoing. The water has not reached the pyres yet. If the level rises further, we may have to stop,” the caretaker of Nigambodh Ghat said.
The reason for the rising water level is mostly due to the high volumes of water released from Wazirabad and Hathnikund barrages every hour. The forecast indicates a further increase in water level, a Central Flood Control Room officer said.