The Yamuna’s water level in Delhi climbed sharply on Friday, crossing the warning level for the third time this year. By 8 pm, it touched 205.25 metres — the highest mark of this monsoon. Officials now expect the river to breach the danger level of 205.3 metres early Saturday.

Earlier in the day, the Central Water Commission (CWC) recorded the river at 203.9 metres at 8 am. By noon, it reached 204.5 metres, breaching the warning level. At 5 pm, it touched 205.07 metres, just 23 cm short of the danger mark. The previous seasonal peak was 205.15 metres on August 8.

Heavy Rain and Barrage Discharges Behind Surge

The rise is linked to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment and high releases from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana. CWC data shows hourly discharges above 40,000 cusecs since Thursday afternoon, with a peak of 65,861 cusecs at 3 pm. These flows usually take 48 hours to reach Delhi, which means the river may rise further until Saturday.

“We have been seeing consistent discharges in the range of 40,000 to 60,000 cusecs since Thursday afternoon, which are now reflecting in the water level. At this rate, the water should cross the danger level,” said Bhim Singh Rawat, associate coordinator at the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP).

Comparisons with Past Floods

Last year, the Yamuna swelled to 208.66 metres on July 11 after a record discharge of 359,760 cusecs from Hathnikund. The river stayed above 100,000 cusecs for several days, causing severe flooding. In contrast, the 2022 peak was lower, at 204.38 metres on September 26, which did not even touch the warning mark.

Evacuations and Safety Measures

The Flood and Irrigation Department has said that evacuations will begin once the river reaches 206 metres. Authorities have already started making announcements in low-lying areas, urging people to shift to safer locations.

Delhi water minister Parvesh Verma, who recently inspected preparations, assured that the city is better prepared than in 2023. “All gates at the ITO barrage are open. Plans are in place to safely relocate people to secure areas if necessary. Flood control teams, engineers, and relief workers are working round the clock. All barrages, regulators, pumping stations, and drainage systems are being closely monitored, with backup arrangements in place,” he said.