NEW DELHI: Compared with the chaos of 2023, the capital’s encounter with flooding has unfolded differently this year. In July 2023, the Yamuna rose to its highest level ever — 208.66 metres — leaving vast stretches of Delhi underwater. This year, however, flooding has been limited to some parts of the city.The unprecedented rise in the Yamuna’s level in July 2023 caused havoc. Many neighbourhoods, including Batla House, Indraprastha, Laxmi Nagar, Sarai Kale Khan, Commonwealth Village and Khajuri Khas, were inundated, forcing thousands into relief camps. The iconic Red Fort experienced seepage, as the Yamuna reclaimed its old course and reached its wall. Three crematoriums, three water treatment plants and ISBT Kashmere Gate were forced shut.
That year, roads leading to the busy ITO intersection and the Rajghat memorial complex were inundated after a regulator meant to control Yamuna’s flooding stopped working. The ITO stretch, lined with offices of several key govt agencies, was severely impacted. Water entered the ground floors of the offices of the Director General of Audit, the Central Revenues Building, Vikas Minar and the Indian Medical Association. Floodwater also reached the gates of the Supreme Court, but was immediately pumped out.In light of the unprecedented crisis, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) ordered the closure of schools, colleges and govt offices engaged in non-essential work while advising private entities to consider work-from-home for staff. Even Delhi Police restricted the entry of commercial vehicles after several arterial roads were flooded. Inter-state buses coming from other northern states were stopped at the Singhu border instead of ISBT Kashmere Gate, which was closed due to the flooding.In contrast, this season has seen the Yamuna’s level touching a peak of 207.48 metres. While this is higher than the danger level of 205.33 metres, the difference is visible on the ground.
As was the case in 2023, the floodwater has reached areas around ISBT and Mayur Vihar, including Yamuna Bazar, Monastery Market, Majnu Ka Tila, Pushta and Akshardham. Flooding has also been seen at Bela Road in Civil Lines, outside Kashmere Gate ISBT, Usmanpur and Jaitpur.However, some areas like ITO, Red Fort and Batla House have not yet seen flooding. “Though many locals are in panic, the condition is relatively better this time than the devastating floods of 2023,” said a district official.
