It was during the 2013 flood in Delhi when Magan Lal, now 70, was electrocuted, rendering his one arm unresponsive, and him unemployed. As Yamuna has once again breached the danger mark with water entering homes, including his, he now sits with his pug at a makeshift shelter built by the Delhi government.
VIDEO | Delhi rains: Yamuna water level rises to 206.03 metres, the highest of the year so far; surpasses the danger mark of 205.33 metres and breaches the evacuation level of 206 metres. Authorities on alert.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 2, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/U8d2WiN43Y
“Our daily life is completely disrupted. We’ve been forced to leave our homes and are living in these open tents. Do you think women can stay here?” asks his son, Sanjay.
Yamuna water level rising
Yamuna has crossed the danger mark, flooding the low-lying areas in the national capital. According to the Central Water Commission’s bulletin, it reached 205.95 metres at 2 pm on Thursday, and is expected to reach 206.41 metres at 8 pm at the Delhi Railway Bridge. For Delhi, the danger level is 205.33 metres, and evacuation of the people is initiated once it reaches the 206-metre mark. Notably, as many as 15,000 people live in Delhi’s low-lying areas, and 5,000 on the floodplain.
With water levels rising due to Haryana releasing water at the Hathnikund barrage in Yamunanagar district, along with incessant rains in the national capital, people, especially in Delhi’s low-lying areas, are facing electricity disruptions and difficulty in commuting. While many are forced to climb the walls to move from one place to another, some are also offering boat rides through the floodwaters, for tourist purposes and otherwise, at Rs 300 per ride.
Delhi CM assures safety, MCD workers struggle without gear and support
With the water level expected to rise further, the government has put up makeshift shelters for the people. Sandbags are also being placed to restrict the flow of water further into the city.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also visited the flood-hit areas on Tuesday. “The safety and convenience of citizens is our topmost priority, and every possible assistance is being assured,” she said.
While the CM has assured safety to the people, the workers at the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), who are working in such areas, complain of a lack of equipment.
“It’s the most dirty once the flood water recedes, which we have to clean, but we have no gloves. What if we fall sick? Who’ll get us treated? We don’t have any medical cards or any kind of support,” says Naresh Kumar. “We have no uniforms or brooms, and at times, have to buy them ourselves,” says Anita.
In 2023, Yamuna touched an all-time high of 208.66 metres on July 13, leading to flooding in several areas, including sites such as Rajghat and Majnu Ka Tila.
