New Delhi: The Yamuna river in Delhi continued to rise on Wednesday, submerging markets, homes and roads, and forcing thousands of residents in low-lying areas like Majnu ka Tila, Madanpur Khadar and Badarpur to evacuate. Streets turned into streams while marketplaces resembled stagnant pools, leaving families displaced and shopkeepers without livelihood.
According to officials, the Yamuna was flowing at 207 metres at 1 pm, prompting authorities to evacuate people from vulnerable areas and close the Old Railway Bridge for traffic. While immediate rescue operations saved lives, residents said the real battle will begin once the waters recede, as they face the daunting task of rebuilding homes and businesses.
In Majnu ka Tila, one of Delhi’s busiest markets, floodwater entered lanes late Tuesday night. Shopkeeper Anup Thapa said, “We shifted most of our goods before midnight, but some were still spoiled. Even after the water recedes, repairing the shop will cost us a lot. This is the second time since 2023, and we urge the government to clean the area and prevent such disasters.”
Thapa, who lived with his wife and three-year-old daughter near the shop, is now staying in a roadside relief camp. Overhead, electric wires dangled dangerously low above the floodwater.
In Madanpur Khadar, displaced families took shelter under makeshift plastic sheets. Resident Tayara said, “We barely managed to save a few belongings. Women are facing severe problems because there are no toilets.” Families complained of surviving only on biscuits and buns as cooking essentials were left behind in submerged homes.
At Monastery Market, shopkeeper Sachin Yadav said his family’s only source of income has been shut since the floods. “It may take days for the water to recede. Until then, we have no earnings,” he said.
The situation at Yamuna Bazaar resembled homes and shops standing in the middle of the river, while in Badarpur, rooftops of houses were barely visible above the floodwaters. Resident Asif lamented, “I built this house with years of hard work, and now it is underwater. Where should we go? Many are still trapped inside.”
Stray animals were also seen climbing to higher ground, while residents helped elderly parents wade through waist-deep water. Cars, motorcycles and household furniture lay submerged, leaving people stranded and helpless.
The Delhi flood crisis has once again highlighted the vulnerability of the city’s low-lying areas. As the Yamuna continues to swell, residents wait anxiously not just for relief, but for a long-term solution.
