Several dogs, many of them injured or even pregnant, were rescued from flooded areas near the Yamuna by animal lovers and activists as floodwaters continued to swell in the river.
Many of the rescued animals were either pregnant, lactating, or young puppies, left to fend for themselves trapped in submerged lanes for hours without food or shelter.
Fateh, an animal activist who has been spearheading the rescue efforts with his wife, said they have saved around 16 dogs in just two days from areas including Yamuna Bazaar and Majnu ka Tila. “We are coordinating with the NGO Maa ka Aanchal to shift the rescued dogs so they could receive proper care,” he said.
Fateh said in a statement that his team responds immediately to distress calls from residents in flood-affected areas. “People have been very supportive, but the situation remains challenging as the water level is still high in several pockets,” he added.
Another activist, Renu, along with her team, have been patrolling flood-prone stretches near the Yamuna banks. They rescued 21 dogs over the past two days. “Most of them were injured and weak. We are providing them temporary shelter and basic treatment before shifting them to shelters,” she said.
Veterinary doctor Sanjai Mohapatra, who runs three animal dispensaries in Noida, said floodwaters have also impacted shelter homes in low-lying areas of Delhi. “Around 130 dogs and 14 cats had to be relocated to our facilities. Injured animals are being treated, and cattle stranded in flood-hit zones are also being rescued and moved to safer locations,” he said.
According to officials, the Yamuna was flowing at 207.19 meters at 4 pm on Wednesday, above both the danger and evacuation marks.