Heavy rains throw life out of gear in Delhi leaving low-lying areas inundated; schools shut, NDRF deployed

The Yamuna River was flowing at 207 metres on Wednesday at 1 pm, which is the third-highest ever recorded.

Authorities evacuated people from low-lying areas and closed the Old Railway Bridge for traffic.

Areas including Yamuna Bazar, Geeta Colony, Majnu Ka Tila, Kashmiri Gate, Garhi Mandu, and Mayur Vihar are flooded. Most of these places have a mix of both commercial and residential buildings.

Over 14,000 people have been evacuated so far, officials said, adding rescue operations are continuing. Relief camps have been set up at ITO, Mayur Vihar, and Geeta Colony.

The situation has prompted emergency deployments, mass evacuations, and school closures across the National Capital Region (NCR).

The river had already crossed the evacuation mark on Tuesday, when it rose to 206.03 metres, and the situation has worsened since.

A flood warning was issued on Tuesday evening.

“As per current indications, the water level by 7 am on September 3, 2025, is likely to be 206.90 metres, and thereafter, the water level is likely to rise,” the government advisory warned.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has ordered the deployment of four National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams across different parts of Delhi to assist in rescue and evacuation operations.

With the river swelling, district authorities began evacuating residents from low-lying and vulnerable areas. The Old Railway Bridge (ORB) has been closed to traffic as a safety measure.

Cremations at Nigambodh Ghat, Delhi's largest cremation ground, were also suspended after Yamuna flood water entered the premises on Wednesday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for more rain in the coming days, prompting authorities across NCR to issue precautionary measures.

Both private and government schools in the region have been directed to suspend classes for the day, with further updates expected based on the evolving weather conditions.