Authorities in Delhi have ordered a halt to traffic and public movement near Loha Pul from 5 pm on Tuesday after the Yamuna River rose above its danger mark of 205.33 metres following heavy rainfall across the National Capital Region (NCR).
The directive was issued in response to a flood advisory from the Central Water Commission (CWC). The Shahdara District Magistrate announced the restrictions, warning that the water level at the Old Railway Bridge (ORB) may exceed 206.50 metres.
According to the order, “As the water level of ORB (Delhi Old Railway Bridge) may cross the danger level and is likely to exceed 206.50 m, a CWC advisory may be expected soon. All Sector Officers are hereby advised to maintain strict vigil in their respective areas and take necessary action at vulnerable points. People residing within the river embankments must be warned and shifted to safer locations.”
The order further said that police and staff from the Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) Department will patrol embankments round the clock and keep watch on vulnerable spots, regulators, and pumps.
Heavy rainfall has already led to traffic snarls in several parts of the city, particularly at the Delhi-Gurugram border. Concerns are also mounting over possible flooding along the Yamuna. Flight operations have been disrupted due to waterlogging and low visibility, prompting airlines to issue passenger advisories.
Meanwhile, Gurugram authorities have urged corporate offices to let employees work from home on Tuesday and directed schools to shift to online classes as the city struggles with severe waterlogging.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued an orange alert, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Gurugram on Tuesday.
The advisory read, “In view of the forecast, all corporate offices and private institutions in the district are advised to guide their employees to work from home; and all schools in the district are advised to conduct online classes on 02-09-2025.”
By Monday evening, Gurugram had received more than 100 millimetres of rainfall, leading to waterlogging in many areas and heavy traffic congestion.
On Monday, disaster management authorities reported that the ORB water level stood at 204.94 metres at 5 pm. The Hathni Kund Barrage recorded a discharge of 2,92,365 cusecs, Wazirabad Barrage 41,830 cusecs, and Okhla Barrage 56,455 cusecs. Earlier in the day, at 9 am, 3,29,313 cusecs of water were released from the Hathni Kund Barrage.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cloudy skies with light rain or thundershowers in Delhi between September 2 and 4. On Tuesday, moderate rainfall is expected at isolated places, with maximum temperatures ranging from 30–32°C and minimums between 21–23°C, around 3–5°C below normal. Winds are predicted at 15–20 kmph in the morning, easing to below 16 kmph by evening. On September 3, light rain is likely, with maximum temperatures between 32–34°C and minimums between 22–24°C.
(With inputs from ANI)