In an unusual turn of events, the Yamuna river in Delhi has surged over a meter above its danger level, causing the authorities to suspend train movement on the historic Old Railway Bridge. The Central Water Commission reported that the water level at the bridge reached 206.30 meters at 5 pm, presenting a critical situation for the city.
This recent surge comes after a brief decline from the river's all-time high of 208.66 meters on July 13. The river breached the danger mark yet again following heavy rain in the upstream areas of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, leading to an increased water discharge from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana.
To cope with the rising water levels, railway officials decided to suspend the Delhi-Shahdara route, diverting trains via New Delhi. The impact of the suspension is expected to affect daily commuters and travelers in the region, as reported by PTI.
Unfortunately, the ongoing relief-and-rehabilitation work in the flood-affected low-lying areas of Delhi may face further challenges due to the rising river levels. Central Water Commission data indicated that the water level fluctuated from 205.02 meters to 206.57 meters, causing concerns for affected families who may have to stay longer in relief camps.
Meteorological experts have forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand until July 25, indicating a potential continuation of the critical situation in Delhi.
The floods in the national capital have already led to devastating consequences, with over 27,000 people evacuated from their homes and significant property and business losses. Experts have attributed the unprecedented flooding to various factors, including encroachments on the river floodplain, extreme rainfall within a short period, and silt accumulation that raised the river bed.
