Delhi floods: Boating banned, Yamuna Bank Metro road shut, vehicles barred on Old Wazirabad Bridge

Delhi floods (Photo credit: X/@naveenphoto_)

Delhi is facing widespread flooding as the Yamuna river has wreaked havoc, inundating roads, homes, shops and even metro station access points due to exceptionally high water levels. The river continues to flow past the danger mark, inundating several low-lying areas. The raging water even entered some of the relief camps set up in the national capital, keeping authorities on their toes. They have cautioned people against swimming, boating, or engaging in any recreational activity on the river.

Vehicular movements have been halted on the Old Wazirabad Bridge in Delhi after water from Yamuna river flooded a drain bridge near Soor Ghat on Wazirabad Road, news agency PTI reported citing police.

According to an advisory issued by the Delhi Traffic police, all vehicles will be diverted from Soor Ghat under the Wazirabad flyover. Vehicles coming from Mukarba Chowk towards Sonia Vihar and Khajuri Chowk will now have to go through Mukarba Chowk, Outer Ring Road, Wazirabad Flyover, Signature Bridge, Wazirabad Road and then proceed towards Khajuri Chowk.

"Traffic from ISBT heading to Sonia Vihar and Khajuri Chowk will be diverted via Chandgi Ram Akhara, slip road under Wazirabad Flyover, Signature Bridge and Wazirabad Road before reaching Khajuri Chowk," the advisory read.

Similarly, vehicles moving from Choudhary Fateh Singh Marg, also known as Timarpur Road, towards Sonia Vihar and Khajuri Chowk will be routed through Choudhary Fateh Singh Marg, loop towards Signature Bridge and Wazirabad Road to reach Khajuri Chowk.

The advisory urged commuters to avoid the affected stretch and not to park vehicles on the roadside as it obstructs traffic flow. Motorists have also been asked to remain patient, follow traffic rules, and cooperate with police personnel deployed at intersections.

Authorities warn against swimming, boating on Yamuna flowing at spate in Delhi

In its advisory, the office of the district magistrate (East) said the Yamuna in Delhi is flowing above the danger level of 205.33 metres at the Old Railway Bridge. Residents in low-lying areas have been asked to shift to safer locations and relief camps set up by the administration, it noted.

"In public interest, it is advised to stay away from the riverbanks across Delhi and NCR and to avoid venturing into the water for swimming, boating, or any recreational activity in the swollen river," it read.

In case of any emergency or need for rescue operations, people have been asked to contact the Disaster Emergency Operations Centre on the helpline number 1077.

Road approaching Yamuna Bank Metro inundated

The approach road to the Yamuna Bank Metro Station was rendered inaccessible on Thursday after the Yamuna crossed the danger mark here, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was quoted by PTI as saying.

The station, however, remains operational and passengers can use it as an interchange point, the corporation said. Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys and opt for alternative routes to reach the station. Metro operations and train speed across the network remain unaffected, DMRC added. According to an official, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge reached 207.44 metres at 4 pm.

Businesses of restaurants, spas, tattoo shops suffer as Yamuna floods Delhi's Majnu Ka Tila

Water from the Yamuna gushed into the narrow alleys of Majnu ka Tila this week, swallowing homes and shops and leaving behind damp wood, broken machines and stagnant drains.

In this riverside Tibetan Colony, where cafes bustle with students, tattoo parlours light up neon signs and home spas run out of rented rooms, the flooding has turned everyday work into a struggle for survival.

The damage has cut through every kind of business, from restaurants whose owners now sleep in their offices, to tattoo parlours with ruined machines, salons and home spas left without working equipment, and garment shops that remain locked as water stagnates outside.

Zungi, who runs a restaurant in the Colony, said his home behind the eatery had been submerged till the terrace. "For the last 15 years, my family has run this place. Every time the Yamuna rises, our house gets flooded.

"This time, everything -- beds, furniture, clothes -- is submerged in floodwater. The restaurant is on a higher floor, so it is safe, but our home and belongings are gone," he told PTI.

Many merchants said they had been forced to shift into nearby hotel rooms after their houses went under. Lobsang Tsering, who has lived in Majnu ka Tila for nearly two decades, said several families were staying in rented rooms in the upper areas, while some owners slept inside their restaurants just to be close to their businesses.

Communication, too, has been disrupted. With mobile networks failing and power supply erratic, some merchants began using walkie-talkies to coordinate with staff. "We keep phones switched off to save battery for emergencies," Zungi said.

Service businesses in the Colony's low-lying alleys have suffered some of the worst losses. At a tattoo parlour, worker Tashi said their entire set-up has been destroyed. "Our machines, which are drilled to the ground, went under the water once the area got flooded. These machines cost lakhs, and without them the parlour cannot function." Another tattoo shop owner, David, said most of his inks and equipment have been ruined. "We shifted to a hotel for two nights. The lanes here are so narrow that the water does not drain quickly. It just stagnates, and mosquitoes and infections happen due to that," he said.

Merchants said poor road infrastructure and weak drainage had worsened the crisis this year. "The government is doing its best, but the roads here are too narrow and water does not seep out quickly. Snakes and mosquitoes have made matters worse. We just hope things return to normal soon," Zungi said.

Workers at home spas reported major setbacks. "Massage beds, dryers, steam machines -- all are damaged. Clients have cancelled bookings and we do not know how long it will take to restart," said Nyima, 26, who ran a spa in her home's basement.

Hotels have become temporary shelters, with families and workers sharing single rooms. "Five or six workers are living together in our hotel. Some owners lowered the prices so that at least people could afford to stay," said Sandeep, a hotel employee near the monastery.

The flooding has upended the routine for shop workers as well. Anisha, employed at a gift shop, said she saw children being paid to swim through the water to evacuate goods from basements. "It is dangerous, but shopkeepers are desperate to save their stock..." she said.

Residents pointed out that the damage has become a yearly affair. Tsering, who runs a small eatery, said the water had receded slightly but the cost of repair would be steep. "Now we have to repaint walls, replace furniture and fix machines. It has been like this year after year," he said.

Public health concerns have also grown. Vanya, a mother of two, said the stagnant water had led to mosquito swarms and even snakes entering through back doors. "Children are falling sick, and we are constantly trying to keep them safe," she said.

Locals also spoke about the plight of stray animals. "The street dogs here are already weak, and now they are stranded on rooftops with no food. They bark all night. It's heartbreaking," said Rajesh, a hotel staffer.

For many, staying back despite the flooding is a matter of survival. "People with families went to shelters, but most of us stayed back. We cannot leave because our shops and restaurants are here. If we go, we lose both our homes and our work," said a worker whose house was submerged this week.