The national capital region is bracing for more heavy rain on Wednesday, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) kept its red alert active. Continuous downpours are expected to affect several areas, raising concerns over flooding and disruptions.

IMD Issues Fresh Warning

The Lucknow Meteorological Centre has issued a heavy rainfall warning for multiple regions, including Noida and Ghaziabad.
According to the forecast, Gautam Buddh Nagar may see very heavy rainfall, while Ghaziabad is likely to face intense showers along with thunderstorms and lightning.

District authorities, in response to the alert, have ordered schools in both Noida and Ghaziabad to remain closed on September 3. Parents have been advised to closely follow updates from local officials and school administrations about reopening plans.

Disruptions Due to Earlier Rains

This fresh alert comes after two days of intense rainfall across Delhi-NCR on Monday and Tuesday. The downpour caused severe waterlogging and traffic jams, creating widespread chaos.

In Noida, several areas, including Sector 62, Sector 18, and parts of Greater Noida, were badly flooded. The waterlogging not only disrupted road traffic but also posed safety risks to schoolchildren.

Similar situations were reported in Gurugram and Ghaziabad, where authorities urged residents to avoid non-essential travel, especially during peak rain hours.

Yamuna Water Levels Rise Alarmingly

While heavy rains continue, the Yamuna river has reached a dangerous level, measuring 206.8 metres at 7 am on Wednesday. This is just 1.8 metres below the record high of 208.66 metres, set on July 13, 2023.

The river’s rapid rise is due to huge inflows from upstream barrages, including:

• 1.76 lakh cusecs from Hathnikund

• 93,260 cusecs from Wazirabad

• 1.15 lakh cusecs from Okhla

Emergency Measures in Place

In response to the rising water levels, officials have closed the Old Railway Bridge (ORB) to prevent accidents. Emergency teams have been deployed to low-lying areas, where evacuation drives are underway.

Authorities have also restricted public movement in vulnerable zones and banned idol immersions to reduce risks. Officials warned that the situation could worsen if heavy rainfall continues in the coming days.

Residents have been urged to stay alert and follow all safety advisories issued by local administrations.