Rain Mayhem: Rising Yamuna Threatens Delhi, Kashmir Cut Off From Rest of India

Heavy monsoon rains continued to batter northern India on Thursday, leaving the Kashmir Valley cut off from the rest of the country and causing severe flooding, landslides, and disruption across Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir.

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

Multiple landslides and washed-out road patches have blocked the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, while rail traffic in the Jammu division remains suspended.

In Delhi, rising waters of the Yamuna River added to the crisis, leading to school closures, inundated relief camps, and waterlogged residential areas.

By 7 pm on Thursday, the Yamuna's water level at the Old Railway Bridge had reached 207.42 meters, well above the danger mark of 205.33 meters.

Officials forecast a slight decline to 207.30 meters by Friday morning, but the rising river had already caused extensive flooding in northeast Delhi and other low-lying areas.

In Mayur Vihar Phase I and Yamuna Bazar, floodwater entered relief tents, further complicating conditions for evacuees displaced from submerged homes.

Residents in northeast Delhi's Third Pusta area were stranded along with pets and livestock, including a cow.

While the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) declined to conduct a rescue operation, personnel from the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and the Boat Club successfully evacuated all individuals and animals to safer locations.

Cows were relocated from a gaushala near Iron Bridge to higher ground.

Central Delhi also saw significant distress.

Four elderly residents, all over 80 years old, along with a dog and a cat, were rescued from 9 Upper Bela Road by DDMA teams.

In Civil Lines, where prominent political figures reside, streets turned into streams, submerging homes.

Locals criticised authorities for recurring unpreparedness whenever the Yamuna crossed the 205.33metre mark.