| 13 July 2023
Delhi, the capital city of India, is currently grappling with an extreme flood situation as the water levels of the Yamuna River have surged to an all-time high of 208.6 meters. The swollen river has inundated low-lying areas, triggering evacuation measures to ensure the safety of residents. Moreover, the city now faces the risk of a drinking water crisis as three water treatment plants have been forced to shut down due to the flooding. The Central Water Commission has classified this situation as "extreme," with the water flow into the Yamuna expected to rise even further by 3-4 pm today.
To mitigate the impact of the flooding, the government has taken several precautionary measures. The closure of non-essential government offices, schools, and colleges has been extended until Sunday, July 16. Private establishments have been strongly advised to implement work-from-home policies during this period. Commercial establishments in the vicinity of Kashmere Gate have been instructed to suspend operations until Sunday. Additionally, transportation arrangements have been altered temporarily, with buses destined for the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) being diverted to the Singhu Border. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) will be running additional buses to facilitate the transportation of people to their destinations.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has assured the public that efforts are underway to reduce the water levels, and restoration work will commence within two days. Notably, the Delhi Secretariat, which houses the offices of Kejriwal, his cabinet, and senior bureaucrats, was flooded on Thursday, further highlighting the severity of the situation.
In addition to the immediate impact on infrastructure and daily life, the flooding also poses a threat to the city's drinking water supply. The closure of three water treatment plants located in Wazirabad, Chandrawal, and Okhla has significantly disrupted the water distribution system. As of 1 pm today, the water level in the Yamuna River stood at 208.6 meters, with the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana continuing to release water into the river.
The consequences of the flooding are not limited to water-related issues. Waterlogging has resulted in the disruption of traffic movement across several roads, including sections of the vital Outer Ring Road. This has necessitated the diversion of traffic to alternate routes, leading to extensive traffic congestion. The traffic police have issued advisories regarding restrictions and regulations on vehicular movement due to the flooding. Several areas, including Monastery Market, Yamuna Bazar, Garhi Mandu, Geeta Ghat, Vishwakarma Colony, Khadda Colony, the region around the Neeli Chatri temple near Old Railway Bridge, Neem Karoli Gaushala, and a stretch of Ring Road from Wazirabad to Majnu Ka Tila, remain submerged.
Moreover, the Geeta Colony crematorium, located near the Yamuna River in Old Delhi, has been closed due to flooding. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has urged citizens to utilize the cremation facilities at Karkarduma and Ghazipur cremation grounds instead.
The Delhi Metro is still operational, except for the Yamuna Bank Metro Station, which remains inaccessible due to the escalating water levels of the Yamuna River. Trains are running at a restricted speed on Metro bridges. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has informed commuters via a tweet that an interchange facility is available for affected passengers.
Efforts to tackle the situation are underway, with the government taking prompt action to evacuate waterlogged areas. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, following an emergency meeting, called for the cooperation of citizens in the evacuation process. As of now, more than 16,500 people residing in low-lying areas have been shifted to safer locations at higher altitudes. Additionally, embankments are being constructed in vulnerable areas to prevent floodwater from entering if the water level of the Yamuna continues to rise.
Several factors have contributed to the current flooding crisis in Delhi. The absence of dams on the Yamuna River, coupled with the unutilized monsoon flow due to the lack of infrastructure, has resulted in recurrent floods during the season. The continuous rainfall in the upper catchment areas, combined with saturated soil caused by heavy precipitation in Delhi and nearby regions over the weekend, has further intensified the rise in water levels.
The situation remains critical as the water flow from the Haryana barrage is expected to decrease only from 2 pm today. Unfortunately, the India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand over the next two days, exacerbating the risk of further flooding in Delhi.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating rescue operations with the assistance of 12 teams from the National Disaster Response Force. As the crisis unfolds, citizens are urged to stay informed, follow official guidelines, and prioritize their safety in these challenging circumstances.
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