Flood Alert In Delhi: Authorities in Delhi are on high alert as the Yamuna River continues to swell following heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas.
The water level at the Old Railway Bridge (Loha Pul) reached 204.94 meters by 5:00 PM on Monday, prompting the immediate closure of the bridge to traffic and pedestrians starting Tuesday evening.
The decision follows a flood advisory issued by the Central Water Commission (CWC), which warned of further water level rise due to high discharge from upstream barrages. According to official figures, 292,365 cusecs of water were released from Hathni Kund Barrage on Monday morning, while Wazirabad and Okhla Barrages discharged 41,830 and 56,455 cusecs respectively.
Flood Peak Expected In Delhi-NCR
Officials warn that the Yamuna is expected to breach the 206-meter mark by Tuesday, raising concerns over urban flooding in several low-lying areas. According to Jagran.com, this surge is directly linked to the release of over three lakh cusecs of water from Haryana’s Hathni Kund Barrage.
The District Magistrate of Shahdara, Rishita Gupta, issued formal orders to close the Old Railway Bridge once the water level crosses the danger threshold. Delhi Police have already placed barricades and announced route diversions to manage traffic flow.
Delhi-NCR: Check Traffic Diversions
Delhi Traffic Police has advised commuters to use alternate routes:
– From Gandhi Nagar to Old Delhi: Take the Geeta Colony Flyover
– From Seelampur/Shastri Park: Use Shahdara GT Road
– From Shanti Van to Gandhi Nagar: Divert via Geeta Colony Flyover
– From Old Delhi Railway Station to Shahdara: Use Kashmiri Gate-GT Road route
Flood Alert In Delhi: Over 15,000 Evacuated From Flood-Prone Areas
Evacuations have been underway since Monday across several vulnerable neighborhoods, including Purana Loha Pul, Geeta Colony, Mayur Vihar, Badarpur Khadar, Majnu Tila, and Yamuna Bazaar. The district administration has set up temporary relief camps equipped with food, water, and medical aid.
“The impact will be most severe in Yamuna Bazaar, Monastery, Majnu Tila, and Civil Lines,” officials said. Announcements were made throughout Yamuna Khadar and surrounding areas urging residents to move to safer locations.
Sandeep Yadav, Nodal Officer from the Irrigation Department (SDM Preet Vihar and DM East Office), confirmed that motorboats have been deployed at 14 key locations, with more than 30 trained divers on standby. “We are prepared to respond wherever help is needed. Relief tents are stocked with food and healthcare essentials,” he said.
Meanwhile, the shelter home near the Geeta Colony crematorium was shut down, and the remaining residents were moved to relief camps. Deputy Commissioner of Police Prashant Gautam confirmed that emergency teams remain on-site to manage public safety and enforce evacuation orders.