Yamuna floods highlight fragile infrastructure as North India reels under monsoon impact
Hyderabad: Persistent flooding of the Yamuna river in Delhi on Saturday underscored the strain on urban and rural infrastructure across large parts of North India. Rising waters inundated Monastery Market, Yamuna Bazar, Nigambodh Ghat, Kashmiri Gate, and Mayur Vihar. Moreover, Civil Lines saw the Swaminarayan temple complex submerged under five feet of water on Friday.
In Uttar Pradesh, the Yamuna swelled into Mathura, submerging more than 20 colonies. In Agra, floodwaters reached the Taj Mahal’s boundary walls and drowned the rear park. Furthermore, heavy showers left more than 50 roads under four feet of water, while submerged vehicles highlighted drainage shortfalls.
Yamuna floods frame a broader test of India’s flood resilience
In Uttarakhand, authorities resumed the Char Dham Yatra on Saturday after suspending it from September 1–5 due to weather. Consequently, registrations for pilgrims reopened.
Meanwhile, Punjab’s prolonged crisis remained severe. Floods kept 1,900 villages across 23 districts under water for 12 days. As a result, more than 3.84 lakh residents were affected, 43 people died, and crops spanning 1.72 lakh hectares were lost. However, officials expressed hope of relief as rainfall alerts eased for the next four days.
In Jammu and Kashmir, continued rainfall triggered landslides that blocked the Jammu–Srinagar highway and Sinthan road, stranding over 3,700 vehicles. At the same time, several areas in Srinagar and Budgam reported waterlogging, while the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage remained suspended for the 11th day since the August 26 landslide.
In Gujarat, heavy downpours battered Surat and Vadodara. Consequently, water levels in the Narmada and Kim rivers rose sharply. Authorities therefore warned residents in low-lying areas to prepare for flooding.
Overall, the pattern of simultaneous riverine flooding, landslides, and urban waterlogging exposed the vulnerability of India’s flood management systems. Experts emphasised the need for integrated river basin planning and stronger city drainage infrastructure.
