Delhi and surrounding cities are expected to receive more rain on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued fresh weather alerts to warn residents about the situation. According to the forecast, thunderstorms with rain will continue through the day.
The IMD has placed Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad under a yellow alert, signaling light rain and thunderstorms. Meanwhile, Gurugram remains under an orange alert, indicating moderate rainfall. The minimum temperature is expected to settle at 24°C, while the maximum may reach around 33°C. Furthermore, the weather department has predicted isolated heavy rainfall over Haryana and Chandigarh on September 4.
Yamuna Water Level Rises Sharply
Continuous rain over the last three days has caused the Yamuna River to swell rapidly. By 11 pm on Wednesday, the river was flowing at 207.44 metres, which is nearly 1.5 metres above the evacuation threshold of 206 metres. Significantly, the level came very close to 207.49 metres, which was last seen during the catastrophic floods of 1978.
This marks the fifth time since 1963 that the Yamuna has crossed the 207-metre mark. As a result, floodwater entered Nigambodh Ghat, Delhi’s oldest and busiest cremation ground, forcing authorities to halt cremations on Wednesday.
Rainfall Breaks Seasonal Records
Earlier on Wednesday, intermittent rainfall lashed Delhi for the third straight day, bringing relief from the heat but worsening flooding concerns. The heavy downpour pushed Delhi’s seasonal rainfall beyond the 1,000 mm mark. This is well above the city’s annual average of 774 mm, which had already been surpassed in August.
Impact on NCR and Daily Life
The continuous rain has severely affected life across the National Capital Region. Several parts of Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram reported widespread waterlogging, which disrupted traffic and daily activities. Consequently, schools in Noida and Ghaziabad remained closed on Wednesday as a precautionary measure, following the IMD’s weather forecast.
Flight Disruptions Expected
Although Delhi Airport has not released any formal advisory, airlines are preparing for possible delays. SpiceJet issued a statement to passengers, saying, “Due to bad weather in Delhi (DEL), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may be affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status.”
Situation Remains Critical
The continuous rise in the Yamuna’s water level and ongoing rainfall have created a challenging situation for authorities and residents. While emergency teams remain on alert, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether water levels recede or rise further.