Delhi Floods Update: Delhi Grapples with Severe Flooding as Yamuna Waters Submerge the City

| 14 July 2023

Delhi, the bustling capital city of India, is currently facing a devastating flood-like situation as the Yamuna River breaches its banks and inundates various parts of the city. The rising waters have disrupted normal life, leading to the closure of schools, colleges, and government offices until July 16. Authorities are working tirelessly to manage the crisis and minimize the impact on residents.

The Central Water Commission has reported that the water level of the Yamuna River has stabilized and started receding as of Thursday night. However, it remains three meters above the danger mark, indicating the magnitude of the disaster. Unfortunately, a regulator of the Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Department suffered damage, causing the Yamuna water to flow back towards the city. To prevent further inflow of floodwater, officials and workers are reinforcing the area surrounding the damaged regulator under the guidance of Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj.

Adding to the concern, the India Meteorological Department has issued a rain alert for Delhi and nearby areas, predicting light drizzles that could intensify over the next 24 hours. A stronger spell of rain could exacerbate the situation in the already waterlogged capital. Saturday's forecast predicts moderate rain or thundershowers, raising fears of prolonged flooding and its associated challenges.

The calamity is a result of heavy rainfall in the Yamuna's upper catchment areas and the discharge of water from Haryana's Hathnikund barrage. Over the past four days, the Yamuna River has consistently flowed above the danger mark, transforming roads into rushing streams, parks into watery labyrinths, and homes into submerged realms. Even prominent areas such as the posh Civil Lines, where the residences of Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and some cabinet ministers are located, have been affected. The floodwaters have also engulfed the Delhi Secretariat, the administrative hub of the city.

Historical landmarks have not been spared from the deluge either. The iconic Red Fort, a UNESCO world heritage site, found its walls breached by the Yamuna waters. Visitors were seen wading through waist-deep and, in some places, neck-high water. Consequently, the Red Fort has been closed to visitors since the second half of July 13, and the closure continues.

The government has swiftly mobilized resources to tackle the crisis. Twelve National Disaster Response Force teams, equipped with inflatable boats and other essential equipment, have been deployed in Delhi to assist in rescue operations. More than 20,000 people have already been shifted to relief camps, and additional boats will be deployed if necessary, according to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

While the water level in the Yamuna River has stabilized after reaching a record-breaking height of 208.62 meters, surpassing the previous record set 45 years ago, the city now faces another imminent threat — a shortage of drinking water. The inundation of a pump house at Wazirabad has severely affected the operations at water treatment plants, leading to a 25 percent drop in water supply. Authorities are working to restore water services to affected areas as quickly as possible.

Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Lt Governor V K Saxena convened an emergency meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). Following the meeting, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the closure of all schools, colleges, and universities until Sunday. Government offices associated with non-essential services will also remain closed during this period, with employees working from home. Private offices will receive an advisory to implement work-from-home arrangements.

As Delhi battles the catastrophic floods, the resilience of its people and the concerted efforts of authorities and disaster response teams offer hope for the affected communities. However, the situation remains precarious, with the potential for further rainfall to exacerbate the crisis. The coming days will test the city's ability to recover and rebuild in the aftermath of this natural disaster.