Despite incessant rain in Delhi and the NCR since Friday night, the Yamuna’s water level continued to fall for the second straight day on Sunday. At Delhi’s Old Railway Bridge station, it was recorded at 204.20 metres—within the river’s safe zone. However, it still hovers near the ‘warning level’ of 204.5 metres, according to data from the Central Water Commission (CWC) on Sunday.
Yamuna’s water level inched close to the danger mark early on Friday, reaching 205.15 metres at 3 am, the highest level recorded this season. Officials from the Flood Control and Irrigation Department attributed the rise to heavy rain in upstream areas, which triggered higher water discharge from the Hathnikund Barrage. Peak discharges touched 61,729 cusecs on Wednesday and 57,469 cusecs on Thursday.
“On average, we release between 18,000 and 30,000 cusecs of water, depending on rainfall in the Himachal and Uttarakhand belt,” an official said. “To maintain optimum river levels, the Okhla barrages have been kept open, along with controlled releases from Hathnikund.”
The river’s level began approaching the danger mark on Friday, August 8, prompting close monitoring. Discharge volumes have since declined, with 31,724 cusecs released from Hathnikund at 7 am on Saturday, according to the department.
Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh inspected low-lying areas along the Yamuna on Thursday amid rising water levels. Speaking to the media during his visit, the minister said the situation was normal and under control, and assured that the department was fully prepared. “During this season, the Yamuna’s water level typically rises. The department is fully alert and active. The situation is completely under control,” he said.