Yamuna Bazar residents shift to tents as river swells

Residents of the adjoining Yamuna Bazar area are grappling with worsening flood conditions. By yesterday evening, several homes in the locality stood inundated. Panicked residents left the area in a huff, carrying only essential belongings with them.

At around 7 pm Monday, floodwater gushed into houses, spreading panic across the neighbourhood.

“We had to rush out quickly, taking only important things. The situation has become unbearable,” said Sahil, a resident. A visit to the area revealed that the road leading to Nigam Bodh Ghat was lined with temporary tents erected by the state government to shelter those displaced due to the flooding.

Opposite Salim Garh Fort, the Yamuna was rising alarmingly, nearly reaching the old iron bridge. Moving towards the ghat, temples along the route were found closed due to waterlogging as the river continued to swell.

For days, locals have been struggling with stagnant waters, but Monday saw a marked rise in water levels.

Satender Kumar, another resident, explained that government relief tents have been set up, but conditions remained grim. “We are living in tents for now, but our houses are flooded. We cannot cook and no food has been provided to us by the administration,” he said.

Many families have resorted to shifting belongings to rooftops in a desperate bid to escape the rising waters. “Since yesterday afternoon, life has become extremely difficult. All our household items are now lying on the roof,” said Amisha, another resident.

The flood has already left widespread destruction in its wake. “So many things have been damaged. Our belongings are gone and we are stuck on rooftops without food,” said Dev Prakash Pandey.

For residents, the crisis evokes painful memories of 2023, when the area saw similar devastation. “The situation is repeating itself. Authorities are warning that the water level may rise further and we are already suffering badly,” said Gauri Shankar Pandey, a priest.

CM visited the flood-affected areas on Tuesday to assess the situation and review preparedness.

Water levels at Delhi’s Old Railway Bridge reached 205.79 metres at 8am on Tuesday, just shy of the 206-metre evacuation threshold.

Officials said the situation is being closely monitored.