Title: Delhi-NCR on Red Alert as Heavy Rains Flood Roads and Delay 180+ Flights While Raising Yamuna Levels

On Saturday, August 9, 2025, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the entire Delhi-NCR region following heavy monsoon rains that caused severe waterlogging in key areas such as Shastri Bhawan, RK Puram, Moti Bagh, Kidwai Nagar, Mathura Road, and Bharat Mandapam.

The downpour, starting late Friday night and persisting through Raksha Bandhan morning, led to massive traffic congestion, disrupted flight schedules with over 180 flights delayed at Indira Gandhi International Airport, and pushed the Yamuna River water levels close to the danger mark due to upstream rains and controlled water releases from Wazirabad and Hathnikund barrages.

Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay indoors during thunderstorms, secure their belongings, and remain vigilant as more rains are forecast through mid-August.

Severe Waterlogging Paralyzes Delhi-NCR

The heavy rainfall drenched vast parts of Delhi and neighbouring areas including Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad. Major roads such as Panchkuian Marg, Connaught Place, ITO, Mathura Road, and areas like APS Colony and Sector 115 in Noida faced deep water accumulation, making commuting difficult early on Raksha Bandhan day. Traffic slowed to a crawl, with social media flooded with visuals of submerged streets and stranded vehicles.

The IMD initially escalated its alert to red across the region, warning of moderate to heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching 30-40 km/h. Temperatures hovered between 23°C and 34°C. Flight operations at Delhi airport faced delays exceeding 180 departures, with passengers advised to check flight statuses in advance.

Yamuna River’s Rising Levels and Government Advisory

The water level of the Yamuna at the Old Railway Bridge reached a season-high peak of about 205.15 metres early Friday and hovered near the danger level of 205.33 metres for a few hours before dipping slightly. This rise is attributed to heavy rainfall in upper catchment areas of Haryana and Uttarakhand combined with regulated water releases from Wazirabad and Hathnikund barrages.

Flood monitoring systems remain active, with city authorities coordinating agencies to prepare for possible flood-like conditions. The government’s advisory stresses avoiding non-essential travel, steering clear of waterlogged zones and weak infrastructure, securing personal belongings, staying indoors during thunderstorms, and regularly monitoring official updates. Residents are encouraged to assist vulnerable neighbours and exercise heightened caution.

Here are the current dos and don’ts advised for residents to stay safe during the Delhi monsoon season, according to recent news sources and government advisories:

Dos And Don’ts:

• Maintain safe distance from electrical installations such as poles, transformers, and streetlights, especially near waterlogged areas to avoid electrocution risks.
• Keep children away from electrical stations and avoid playing in waterlogged parks or streets.
• Switch off the main power supply immediately if water seeps into meter cabins or electrical wiring, and turn power back on only after inspection by a licensed electrician.
• Stay indoors during heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning to avoid accidents.
• Avoid unnecessary travel and refrain from moving through waterlogged or flood-prone areas whenever possible.
• Keep updated with the latest weather and government advisories on monsoon conditions via official channels.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

The intense monsoon rains and consequent urban flooding across Delhi-NCR underscore the urgent necessity for robust, forward-looking urban planning and resilient infrastructure to mitigate recurrent waterlogging and flood hazards. While the monsoon rains are essential for the environment and agriculture, the severe disruptions highlight gaps in preparedness and infrastructure capacity.

As communities and authorities face nature’s challenges together, fostering empathy, solidarity, and a culture of cooperation becomes paramount.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}