On July 10, 2023, the Yamuna River in Delhi surpassed the warning mark as its water level reached 204.63 meters, according to officials from the Delhi Jal Board. The heavy rainfall in the upper catchment area of the Ganga's longest and second-largest tributary was the primary cause of the rising water levels in the national capital.
Anil Bharti, additional chief engineer at the Delhi Jal Board, explained that the increased release of water from the Hathnikund barrage upstream in Haryana and incessant rainfall in northwest India over the past three days contributed to the surge in water levels. Several areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan experienced heavy to extreme precipitation during this period. At 1 pm on July 10, the water level reached 204.63 meters at the Old Railway Bridge in Delhi, exceeding the warning level of 204.5 meters, as stated in a flood bulletin. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal assured the public that a flood-like situation would be averted in Delhi. He mentioned that evacuation measures would be initiated once the river's level touches the 206-meter mark.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) predicts that the water level is expected to rise to 205.5 meters between 10 am and 12 noon on July 11, surpassing the danger mark of 205.33 meters. The CWC advisory further notes that the water level may reach 205.5 meters between 11 am and 1 pm on July 11. The irrigation and flood control department reported that the flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage had gradually increased to 305,768 cusecs at 5 am on July 10. Normally, the flow rate is 352 cusecs, but heavy rainfall in the catchment areas leads to increased discharge. It takes approximately two to three days for the water from the barrage to reach Delhi. To address the situation, the Delhi government has established 16 control rooms, including a central control room, to monitor flood-prone areas and the Yamuna's water level. In response to the inclement weather conditions, all schools in Delhi were ordered to be closed on June 10, and the Sunday leave of government officials was canceled to ensure their availability in the field. Kejriwal also mentioned that the sluice gates of the Yamuna River had been opened, and obstructions hindering water flow had been removed. Additionally, an action plan is being developed to provide assistance to the over 36,000 residents living in low-lying areas near the Yamuna if needed.
The Yamuna River originates from the Yamunotri glacier in Uttarakhand and flows in a southerly direction through the Himalayan foothills. After exiting Uttarakhand, it enters the Indo-Gangetic plain, forming the border between Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. It passes through Delhi, where it feeds the Agra Canal, and further south in Uttar Pradesh, it turns southeast near Mathura and flows through Agra, Firozabad, and Etawah. The Yamuna receives several southern tributaries below Etawah, including the Chambal, Sindh, Betwa, and Ken rivers. It ultimately joins the Ganga near Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, after covering a distance of approximately 855 miles (1,376 km).
In conclusion, heavy rainfall in the upper catchment area has caused the Yamuna River in Delhi to surpass the warning mark. The release of water from upstream and continuous rainfall in northwest India contributed to rising water levels. The Delhi government is taking preventive measures, including the opening of sluice gates and the removal of obstructions. Control rooms have been set up to monitor flood-prone areas and the water level. Preparations are underway to assist residents in low-lying areas if required.
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