A City Under Siege: Delhi Battles Rain and Rising Waters
As of Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the National Capital Region (NCR) is on high alert, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an "Orange Alert" for Delhi. The city and its surrounding areas, including Gurugram and Noida, are grappling with the after-effects of relentless downpours that have brought life to a standstill. The persistent rain, which has lashed the region for over two days, has led to widespread waterlogging, severe traffic disruptions, and a rising threat of flooding from the Yamuna River, which is flowing dangerously above the warning mark.
The Forecast: A Day of Heavy Rainfall
The IMD's Orange Alert is a direct warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall expected to continue until late afternoon. The advisory, which was updated this morning, has raised concerns for residents and authorities alike. According to IMD's daily weather report, there is a 96% chance of rain throughout the day, with wind speeds reaching up to 16.2 km/h. While the rain has brought a much-needed drop in temperature, with the maximum expected to hover around 26°C, the associated risks of urban flooding and traffic chaos are high.
The ongoing weather system is a result of a combination of the active monsoon trough and other meteorological phenomena, including a low-pressure area that has formed over the Bay of Bengal. This has resulted in a steady influx of moisture-laden winds over northwest India, leading to sustained rainfall. The IMD has also issued warnings for other parts of northern India, including Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which are experiencing even more intense rainfall and have been placed under a Red Alert.
The Aftermath: Waterlogging and Traffic Nightmares
The most immediate impact of the heavy rain has been on Delhi's infrastructure and daily life. Key roads and intersections have turned into canals, with waterlogging reaching depths of several feet in many areas. Commuters have been the worst affected, with massive traffic jams reported across the city. On Tuesday, a four-kilometer-long traffic jam was reported on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, leaving commuters stranded for hours. The situation has been compounded by several road sections collapsing, including a major sinkhole that appeared in the Janakpuri area, further disrupting traffic and raising concerns about the integrity of the city's aging infrastructure.
The Delhi Traffic Police has been working tirelessly to manage the chaos, but the sheer volume of water on the roads has made it a Herculean task. Traffic advisories are being issued in real-time on social media platforms, urging people to avoid submerged underpasses and low-lying areas. Airlines, including IndiGo and Air India, have also issued travel advisories, warning passengers of possible delays and cancellations due to poor visibility and waterlogged roads leading to the airport.
The Rising Threat of the Yamuna
The most critical concern is the rising water level of the Yamuna River. Fed by heavy rainfall in its upper catchment areas in Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, the river has swelled to dangerous levels. At the Old Railway Bridge (ORB), the water level was recorded at 206.83 meters at 8 a.m. today, well above the danger mark of 205.33 meters and nearing the flood level of 206.90 meters.
Officials from the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Delhi government's Irrigation and Flood Control Department have issued a flood warning, urging residents in low-lying areas to evacuate. The river's sudden rise is a result of a massive discharge of water from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana, which released over 1.62 lakh cusecs of water earlier today. The Delhi government has already closed the Old Railway Bridge for traffic and is actively evacuating residents from vulnerable areas, including parts of East and North Delhi, where the floodplains are particularly susceptible to inundation.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in key areas to assist district authorities with rescue and relief operations. Officials are going door-to-door, making announcements from boats, and urging people to move to safer locations. Relief camps have been set up in areas like Mayur Vihar to provide temporary shelter and assistance to those who have been displaced.
A Precautionary Move: Schools and Offices Closed
In response to the deteriorating weather conditions, the administration has taken a number of precautionary measures to ensure the safety of citizens. The Ghaziabad district administration, led by District Magistrate Ravindra Mandad, has declared a holiday for all schools and educational institutions on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. The decision applies to all schools from nursery to Class 12, including government, private, CBSE, and ICSE-affiliated institutions. The directive was issued through Basic Shiksha Adhikari O.P. Yadav, prioritizing the safety of children amid the risk of waterlogging and traffic disruptions.
While Ghaziabad has taken a firm step, other NCR cities like Noida and Gurugram have advised caution but have not yet announced blanket school closures. The Gurugram District Disaster Management Authority has, however, issued a travel advisory urging corporate offices and private institutions to ask employees to work from home. This is a crucial step to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and prevent further traffic congestion.
The current situation is reminiscent of the catastrophic floods that hit the city in 2023 when the Yamuna River reached an unprecedented level of 208.66 meters. The memories of that crisis, which displaced thousands and inundated key areas, have prompted a more proactive response from authorities this year.
The Road Ahead: A Call for Caution
With more rainfall in the forecast and the Yamuna River continuing its upward trend, Delhi and its residents face a critical 48-hour period. Authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution, avoid non-essential travel, and stay indoors. Commuters should check traffic updates before leaving their homes, and residents in low-lying areas must remain vigilant and follow all safety advisories issued by the government. The current weather conditions serve as a stark reminder of the city's vulnerability to extreme weather events and the need for a long-term, sustainable solution to its drainage and flood management systems
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