YAMUNA AND THE QUIET CRISIS OF GOVERNANCE WE NORMALISED

Authorities have issued an alert that rising flows in the Yamuna could lift water levels by about 10-50 cm in the coming day.

- Ruchira Talapatra

The warning, aimed at low-lying settlements such as Asagarpur Jagir (in Noida's Sector 128 adjacent to the river), classifies the threat as "low" given the forecast rise. Even so, officials are on standby; preliminary precautions like sandbagging or evacuation plans have been readied for vulnerable patches. Meteorological data indicate moderate upstream releases and continuing monsoon inflows, prompting the cautionary notice. In journalistic terms, the current Yamuna surge is not expected to breach danger marks for Delhi-Noida, but residents near the river remain vigilant. Government spokespersons emphasize that this is a routine advisory, not an imminent flood disaster. By contrast, embedded sensors at Hathnikund (Haryana) and Wazirabad (Delhi) barrages show flows just below warning thresholds, so relief agencies advise only alert status for Asagarpur Jagir and environs.

HISTORICAL YAMUNA FLOODS IN DELHI

Delhi's floodplain has been inundated periodically over the decades, underscoring the region's vulnerability. Notable floods include:

• 1978 - A historic deluge (September 3, 1978) saw Yamuna discharge ~7.09 lakh cusecs (cubic feet/sec) into Delhi, flooding large areas. The old Old Railway Bridge (ORB) crest hit about 207.49 m, setting then-record high-water marks.

• 1995 - Another major flood (September 5, 1995) with ~5.36 lakh cusecs reached about 206.93 m at ORB. Heavy rains over the catchment and gate openings at Hathnikund Barrage drove this event.

• 2013 - Monsoon rains on June 17, 2013 produced ~8.06 lakh cusecs peak flow, cresting at 207.32 min Delhi. Although its peak flow was higher than 1978's (8.06 vs. 7.09 lakh cusecs), upstream diversions limited 2013's impact compared to 1978.