Heavy rainfall on Wednesday pushed the Yamuna river in Delhi beyond the 207-metre level, sending water into several houses and shops in low-lying pockets of the city. Records show this is only the fifth time since 1963 that the river has surged past this level. Earlier breaches occurred in 1978, 2010, 2013 and most recently in 2023 when water levels touched 208.66 metres.
By Wednesday afternoon, the river had already crossed the critical 207-metre threshold at 1 pm, and forecasts from the Central Water Commission warned of a further rise to 207.40 metres by 8 pm. The warning level for Delhi stands at 204.5 metres, while the danger mark is set at 205.33 metres, both of which have already been surpassed.
Authorities began moving residents out of vulnerable riverbank areas and into safer shelters as a precaution. The swelling waters also forced the closure of the Old Railway Bridge for traffic movement.
The India Meteorological Department predicted that unstable weather would persist, with light to moderate showers, thunderstorms, lightning and winds reaching speeds of up to 40 kmph expected in Delhi, the wider NCR, and parts of Haryana and Punjab.
