The old iron bridge popularly known as Loha Pul, over Yamuna has been temporarily closed for traffic movement from Tuesday evening, as the Yamuna River is expected to reach the evacuation mark of 206 metres.
The Delhi Government’s Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) department issued two flood warnings on Monday, with the peak hourly discharge crossing the three lakh cusecs threshold for the first time this season at Haryana’s Hathnikund barrage. Water released from these barrages typically takes 48 to 50 hours to reach Delhi. Even smaller discharges from upstream are contributing to the rising water level, which is nearing the warning mark in the city.
The warning mark for Delhi is 204.50 metres, the danger mark is 205.33 metres and evacuation of people begins when the water level reaches 206 metres. The Old Railway Bridge serves as a key observation point for tracking the river’s flow and potential flood risks.
The Government has advised people living in the Yamuna floodplain of Delhi to move to safety as the water level of the river here rose steadily and is predicted to reach the evacuation mark of 206 metres by Tuesday evening. Around 15,000 people reside in low-lying areas across six districts of Delhi, while around 5,000 people stay in the floodplain.
“In view of possible flooding in Yamuna River due to increase in its level beyond the danger mark, you are hereby directed to close down the traffic and public movement on the bridge with effect from September 2 at 5 pm,” read the order issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). The order was marked to Delhi Police and railways officials.
A heavy discharge of water from the Hathnikund Barrage led to the Yamuna swelling to 204.87 meters at the Old Railway Bridge (ORB) on Monday at 12 pm. It was forecast to touch 206.50 metres in the next 36 to 48 hours, the latest order by the I&FC department said.
A flood warning issued said, “As the water level at ORB may cross the danger level and is likely to reach 206.50 metres, all officers are hereby advised to keep a vigil in their respective areas and to take necessary action at vulnerable points.” “People residing within the river embankments shall be warned, and arrangements must be made to shift them to safer places,” it stated.
The document warned that in view of the amount of water being released from the Hathnikund Barrage and heavy rainfall in the upper catchment area, the water level at Delhi Railway Bridge may cross 206 metres around 5 to 8 pm on September 2.
“The first warning is issued when the peak hourly discharge crosses one lakh cusecs, and a second warning is issued when the discharge is three lakh cusecs. The three lakh threshold was crossed at 8 am and until noon, it remained over three lakh every hour,” said a flood control room official.
According to the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, the Hathnikund barrage discharged 3,29,313 cusec of water at 9 am, while the Wazirabad barrage discharged around 38,900 cusec at the time the flood warning was issued. Before Monday, the highest hourly discharge was 178,996 cusecs on August 17. On Monday, it touched 1,65,512 cusecs at 4 am; 2,10,359 cusecs at 5 am, 3,11,029 cusecs at 8 am, and a season-high level of 3,29,313 cusecs at 9 am.
Delhi divisional commissioner Neeraj Semwal said it is expected that over three lakh cusecs of water will be discharged from the barrages over the next couple of days.
“We have alerted the district magistrates of the areas concerned about the preparations that need to be carried out. We have alerted them about preparations regarding food, electricity and relief camps. The district magistrates are monitoring the situation,” he told reporters. Semwal said they expect the water level of the river to surge to over 206 metres before it starts receding.
“We are prepared in case the water level rises further. We are monitoring the Okhla barrage outflow. If the water keeps flowing, then the balance will be maintained. We are hoping that the problem that arose in 2023 does not recur,” he added. The divisional commissioner said most of the floodplain areas are in the east and northeast districts.
“Announcements are being made to caution residents, and some have been shifted to safety. Most people there are involved in farming, and they try to stay till the end, hoping water will recede. They are being motivated to shift to safer places, and food arrangements have been made,” he added.
The district magistrate of the southeast is visiting the Okhla barrage and is also in touch with the Uttar Pradesh administration, which controls it, to ensure that water outflow can be increased if the need arises.
In 2023, the Yamuna swelled to its highest-ever water level of 208.66m on July 11 following a record discharge of 359,760 cusecs from Hathnikund, with several days above 100,000 cusecs. By contrast, last year’s peak was 204.38m on September 26 - below even the warning level. The peak discharge last year was 87,018 cusecs, data from the Irrigation and Flood Control department showed.