River Yamuna has risen to a critical level of 208.36 metres, coming within 0.30 metres of its record flood mark of 208.66 metres, last recorded in 13 July, 2023. Continuous rainfall has also led to a sharp drop in temperatures across the region.
River Yamuna swelled to a critical level of 206.36 metres, just 2.30 metres shy of its all-time high of 208.66 metres recorded on July 13, 2023. The rapid rise in water level has been driven by heavy inflows from upstream barrages, with 1.76 lakh cusecs released from Hathnikund, 93,260 cusecs from Wazirabad and 1.15 lakh cusecs from Okhla.
Officials have closed the Old Railway Bridge (ORB) and enforced emergency measures in low-lying areas. Authorities have also imposed restrictions on public movement, including a ban on idol immersions, as evacuation efforts continue amid fears of further flooding.
Meanwhile, Delhi and its neighbouring states are grappling with relentless rainfall that has brought daily life to a near standstill. Contineous heavy rain triggered widespread waterlogging and severe traffic congestion in several key places in Delhi-NCR. As a direct consequence of the persistent rain, weather observations reveal a sharp drop in temperatures, with daytime highs falling by an average of 5 degrees Celsius and some areas experiencing declines of up to 6-7 degrees in both maximum and minimum temperatures.
The Noida-Greater Noida Expressway was choked with traffic for hours, as severe waterlogging brought vehicles to a standstill. Despite efforts by traffic police to ease the chaos, long snarls persisted, exposing the region’s inadequate drainage infrastructure.
A section of a road in Delhi’s Janakpuri area collapsed on Tuesday evening due to heavy rainfall and resulting waterlogging, causing significant traffic disruption. Initially a small hole, the damage rapidly expanded to about 10 feet wide.
Gurugram’s woes deepen as waterlogging chokes roads and neighborhoods. The collapse of the Aravali dam near Kadarpur village unleashed torrents that flooded villages and threatened structural damage to homes. Despite efforts by the Municipal Corporation and district authorities deploying pumps and teams to clear waterlogged areas, the challenge remains immense.
On Monday, traffic in Gurugram was left crippled with multiple videos on social media showcasing extensive traffic jams across several areas. Many individuals reported being stuck in traffic until midnight.
Ghaziabad is witnessing its share of troubles, with the Delhi-Meerut Highway under water, slowing traffic and disrupting travel. Noida’s Sector 128 is also flooded, displacing farmers as Yamuna’s floodwaters engulf rose farms and huts.
In Sonipat, relentless rain have submerged National Highway 44, with key intersections under several feet of water. The Shani Mandir railway underpass has transformed into a pool, while both urban and rural pockets, including high-value agricultural land, face devastating floods.
RAIN BATTERS NORTH INDIA
Other Northern states also continue to suffer under relentless rain that have triggered a series of cloudbursts and floods over the past weeks. Swollen rivers have flooded vast plains, disrupted rail and road networks and forced schools to close in several regions. With no end to the rain in sight, authorities have suspended pilgrimages to several Himalayan shrines as a precaution against further disasters.
DEADLY FLOODS IN PUNJAB
Beyond the capital, the situation is equally dire. Punjab is battling one of its worst flood crises since 1988, with 30 confirmed deaths and over 3.5 lakh people affected across 23 districts, according to the state government. More than 1,400 villages have been inundated as the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, and several seasonal rivers continue to flow above danger levels following heavy rainfall in the upstream regions.
In Jalandhar, waterlogging has left areas like Jalandhar Heights submerged under 5 to 6 feet of water, severely impacting markets and residential zones as drainage systems fail to cope. In Kapurthala, rising water levels in the Kali Bein River have prompted authorities to open 12 floodgates at the Kanjli Wetland, with surrounding villages placed on high alert.
RED ALERT ISSUED FOR HIMACHAL
Himachal Pradesh remains on high alert as relentless torrential rain trigger landslides, flash floods and widespread road closures across the hill state. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in select areas and an orange alert for the next 48 hours. Key districts like Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi face intense rainfall, while others including Shimla and Lahaul & Spiti are under close watch.
Over 1,300 roads, including six national highways, are blocked, severely disrupting daily life. Mandi is among the worst affected, with more than 280 roads closed. The Chandigarh-Manali Highway and Shimla-Kalka Highway remain shut due to landslides, while Shimla has recorded its highest rainfall in 70 years, accompanied by early snowfall in higher altitudes. Flooding has also isolated villages along the Manali-Leh route, compounding the state’s challenges.
UTTARAKHAND ON HIGH ALERT
Uttarakhand is facing heavy rain with seven districts under orange alert and others on yellow. Key rivers like Alaknanda, Yamuna, Bhagirathi, and Ganga are nearing danger levels, prompting evacuations and road closures, including the Kedarnath highway. Snowfall in high-altitude Yamunotri has lowered temperatures.
Flooding has submerged roads and towns in Udham Singh Nagar, while Nainital’s lake is close to overflowing. The Chief Minister visited affected areas in Haridwar to oversee relief efforts. Rainfall is expected to ease slightly after September 3, but the situation remains critical.
MORE RAIN IN STORE FOR RAJASTHAN
Rajasthan is preparing for heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next five days due to a low-pressure system moving from the Bay of Bengal. Key areas like Bharatpur, Jaipur, Kota, and Shekhawati are already experiencing rain, with intensified showers expected in eastern and southeastern regions from September 3 to 5.
Recent heavy rain have caused severe flooding, especially in Dausa, Alwar, Jaipur outskirts, and Dholpur, submerging villages, damaging farmlands, and disrupting daily life.
HEAVY RAIN IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR
A spell of heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast over the next 14-16 hours across Jammu, Kathua, Reasi, Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri and Ramban. Moderate to heavy rain with brief intense showers is also expected in many parts of the Pir Panjal range and South Kashmir, including heavy rainfall in Kishtwar, Poonch, Anantnag, Shopian and Kulgam.
