The Indian capital of Delhi is grappling with a catastrophic flooding event of historic proportions, as the sacred Yamuna River swelled to its highest level in 45 years, submerging large swathes of the city and bringing life to a grinding halt.
The river's water level surged to a staggering 208.46 metres on Thursday, shattering the previous record of 207.49 metres set in 1978. This unprecedented rise is a direct consequence of relentless monsoon rains that have pounded northern India, with neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana releasing significant volumes of water from overwhelmed dams.
A City Brought to Its Knees
The deluge has triggered a massive emergency response, with authorities scrambling to evacuate thousands of residents from low-lying neighbourhoods. The iconic Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, now stands surrounded by a murky lake, its moat completely filled. The flooding's reach extended to the very heart of Indian governance, with water entering the offices of the Supreme Court, prompting a swift closure of key government buildings and schools.
Critical infrastructure has been severely compromised. Three water treatment plants were forced to shut down, officials warned of significant water supply disruptions for millions of residents. Road and rail transport networks have been thrown into chaos, with key arteries submerged and services cancelled, stranding commuters.
Climate Change and a Worsening Crisis
This disaster is seen by many experts as a stark manifestation of the climate crisis. "The intensity of the rain is a reminder of the changing weather patterns and how they are disrupting normal life," the article notes, highlighting a growing trend of extreme weather events in the region. The situation is particularly dire as New Delhi, home to over 20 million people, is not built to withstand such immense water pressure, with illegal construction on floodplains exacerbating the damage.
While some water level recession is expected, the relief is likely to be slow. The crisis in Delhi is part of a larger pattern of destructive monsoon rains across South Asia, with neighbouring Pakistan also bracing for potential flooding, underscoring the regional scale of this climate-related emergency.
