Rising Yamuna sparks flood warning in Delhi, important update from Gurugram

Continuous heavy rain on Monday, coupled with the release of water from Haryana’s Hathnikund barrage, has pushed the Yamuna River close to dangerous levels, prompting the Delhi Government to issue a flood alert.

Officials warned that the water level may rise above the critical mark of 206.50 metres at the Old Railway Bridge by Tuesday, which could lead to the bridge being closed as a safety measure. People living in low-lying areas along the river have been advised to move to safer places without delay to avoid any potential danger.

The warning issued by the Central Flood Control Room in-charge said the discharge had exceeded 3 lakh cusecs. “As the water level of Old Railway Bridge (ORB) may cross the danger level and is likely to exceed 206.50 m… all sector officers are hereby advised to keep a strict vigil in their respective areas and to take necessary action at vulnerable points… people residing within the river embankments shall be warned and shifted to safer places,” the warning read.

ALSO READ: Truck gets stuck after part of Batla House road caves in, road closed

At 1 pm on Monday, the Yamuna level at the ORB was recorded at 204.87 m, slightly above the warning mark of 204.5 m. The discharge levels downstream were 38,900 cusecs at Wazirabad and 56,455 cusecs at Okhla.

Gurugram administration issues advisory

In the wake of heavy rain, the Gurugram administration on Monday issued an advisory for schools and offices urging to operate in online mode. “Today, between 3 PM to 7 PM, Gurugram recorded heavy rainfall of over 100 mm. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall on 02-09-2025,” the advisory posted by Deputy Commissioner Gurugram on X said.

“In view of the forecast: All corporate offices & private institutions are advised to guide employees to work from home. All schools in the district are advised to conduct online classes on 02-09-2025,” it added.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall on 02-09-2025.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta statement

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said: “The Delhi government and all departments are fully alert. The situation is being monitored 24 hours a day. The extensive desilting work done in the Yamuna and drains in the last six months is now showing clear benefits. All the gates are open and water is not stagnating anywhere. The water is flowing forward unhindered at the same speed at which it is coming.”

I&FC Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said: “Preparations have begun to shift people living in vulnerable areas along the floodplains to safer places. Round-the-clock patrolling has been initiated on embankments, and regulators and pumps are under constant supervision… I urge the citizens of Delhi to stay alert and extend full cooperation to the authorities…”

The Central Water Commission (CWC), meanwhile, cautioned: “In view of the present quantity of water passed from Hathnikund barrage today… and heavy rainfall in the upper Yamuna catchment area… it is informed that the water level at Delhi Railway Bridge may cross 206 m around 17:00 to 20:00 hrs on 2nd September, 2025.”

In an official order, District Magistrate (Shahdara) Rishita Gupta ordered the closure of traffic and public movement on the ORB from 5 pm on Tuesday. “In view of possible flooding in the Yamuna river due to an increase in its level beyond the danger mark, you are hereby directed to close down the traffic and public movement on the bridge…,” it read.

District Magistrate (East) Amol Srivastava, who is also the nodal officer for flood control of six districts, said as per the CWC’s advisory, the water level is expected to cross 206 m on September 2. “It takes about 36 hours for the water to reach Delhi from Hathnikund.”

“Tents and relief camps have been set up in the districts concerned. All basic amenities like food, water, toilets, etc are being arranged in coordination with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board etc. Teams have been deployed to help people and their cattle in evacuation,” he added.

A senior official of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority said, “People are cooperating very peacefully on the ground… because there is already awareness and nobody wants a repeat of the 2023 floods. Since Delhi levels are affected at least 24-32 hours after the water is discharged from Hathnikund… we get a day to take all necessary precautions.”

Another official in charge of monitoring on-ground operations said: “All precautions have been taken on the ground under the instructions of the SDM. There is no cause for alarm and the situation is fully under control.”

On Saturday, the river crossed the danger mark at the ORB for the third time this year.

Situation in Okhla

Okhla AAP worker Sibghatullah Khan, a close aide of MLA Amanatullah Khan, told the OT that if the Yamuna River continues to swell, it could affect the low-lying areas of Okhla, as the river flows nearby. He, however, urged residents not to panic, and said: “The situation is not yet out of control. We will closely monitor developments and see how things unfold tomorrow.”

Several colonies in Okhla, including Abul Fazal Enclave, Shaheen Bagh, Batla House, and Zakir Bagh, are situated along the banks of the Yamuna, making them particularly vulnerable to rising water levels.