Following a much-needed pause in the incessant monsoon rains, the Yamuna River in Delhi has receded below the danger mark, offering respite to a city on edge. The waters, which had swelled to a season-high last week, have been steadily declining, allowing authorities and residents to begin assessing the damage and shifting focus to relief efforts.
As of 7 am on Monday, the water level at the city's key monitoring point, the Old Railway Bridge, was recorded at 205.22 metres. This marks a significant drop from the danger threshold of 205.33 metres, which was recorded just hours earlier at 9 pm on Sunday. The river's level had peaked at a alarming 207.48 metres last Thursday, triggering widespread alarm and evoking memories of the devastating 2023 floods.
The breach of the danger mark last Tuesday had forced the closure of the Old Railway Bridge and led to the displacement of nearly 10,000 people living in low-lying areas along the river's banks. Neighborhoods such as Monastery Market, Madanpur Khadar, and Yamuna Bazar were inundated, compelling residents to abandon their homes and seek shelter in temporary relief camps.
Authorities have been actively managing the crisis, setting up tents on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, near Mori Gate, and in Mayur Vihar to provide temporary housing for those evacuated. While the receding waters are a positive sign, the focus remains on providing essential supplies and support to those affected.
The situation this year brought back stark memories of July 2023, when the Yamuna touched an all-time high of 208.66 metres. That event led to one of the worst flood-like situations in the capital's recent history, resulting in the evacuation of over 25,000 people and severe waterlogging in large parts of the city.
While the immediate threat has subsided, a note of caution remains. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the possibility of rain accompanied by a thunderstorm in the national capital on Monday. Any significant rainfall could slow down the recession process or cause the water levels to rise once more.
The city now watches and waits, hopeful that the worst is over but aware that the monsoon season is not yet done. The receding Yamuna offers a crucial window for recovery, but the experience of the past week is a stark reminder of Delhi's vulnerability to the whims of the river during the rainy season.
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