Yamuna recedes in Delhi, but struggles continue as many deal with sickness and water woes

Delhi floods

Delhi residents breathed a cautious sigh of relief on Friday as the Yamuna River, which had been rising dangerously over the past week, finally began to recede. While several low-lying areas of the city are still waterlogged, officials assured that the situation is gradually improving.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has also predicted cloudy skies and occasional showers in the coming days, though nothing severe enough to worsen the floods.

By Friday evening, the Yamuna’s water level at the Old Railway Bridge had dropped to 207.05 metres, down from Thursday’s high of 207.48 metres. The Central Water Commission further predicted a fall to 206.4 metres by Saturday morning. Notably, the warning mark for the Yamuna in Delhi is 204.5 metres, while the danger mark is 205.33 metres.

#WATCH | Delhi: River Yamuna continues to flow above danger level, parts of the city continue to face a flood-like situation. Visuals from Mayur Vihar area.

(Drone visuals shot at 6.40 am) pic.twitter.com/FOwi6SguM9

— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2025

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed cautious hope, saying, “The situation is likely to return to normal soon. Nevertheless, the government remains fully engaged in supporting those affected.” She also held a meeting with district magistrates of all 11 revenue districts, while PWD Minister Parvesh Verma inspected flood-hit areas. Verma clarified that waterlogging in Civil Lines was due to local rainfall rather than Yamuna’s overflow.

According to a report by Times Now, nearly 18,000 people across Delhi have been shifted to relief camps so far. The worst-hit remain East and North-East Delhi, where camps are set up to provide food, clean water and toilets. However, some residents complained of poor facilities. At Shastri Park camp, several families told former CM Arvind Kejriwal that they were left hungry and exposed to rain.

Health, water and daily life disrupted

Doctors across the city are treating a steady stream of patients suffering from fevers, rashes and fungal infections. Children and elderly people appear most affected. At a relief camp in Kashmere Gate’s Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, many parents reported recurring fever among children under six.

“My five-year-old grandson developed a rash and now has fever. We had to rush him to GTB Hospital last night,” Pooja, a grandmother living in the camp, was quoted by Times Now as saying.

The Delhi Jal Board confirmed that the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant has reduced production by 20 per cent due to high silt and turbidity in the Yamuna. This has led to water shortages in many parts of the city, adding to the difficulties of flood-hit families. Civil Lines saw some improvement as floodwaters began receding on Friday, but electricity supply has not been restored for three days.

Meanwhile, women and young girls in relief camps are facing problems related to hygiene, including the lack of sanitary napkins and clean washrooms.

Traffic disruptions also continue. At Nigam Bodh Ghat, waterlogging has affected movement on the busy Outer Ring Road. Police have introduced diversions from Chandgi Ram Akhara to Hanuman Mandir to ease congestion.