Around 200 flood-hit families affected by backflow flooding from the Yamuna River have been temporary shifted to shelter at Jogabai’s School. They were shifted there on Thursday as a precautionary measure after the Yamuna crossed the danger mark, with the water level at the Old Railway Bridge recorded at 207.48 metres on Thursday morning.
Floodwater from the swollen river continues to inundate nearby areas in other parts of Delhi. “Okhla is safe for now,” said activist Md Sagheer Abbasi, adding that several houses close to the Yamuna in Batla House have been flooded with sewage water due to the rising river level.
He said there had been fears, especially with continuous rain over the last two days, that floodwater might enter the peripheral areas of Batla House. “This time, the backflow caused flooding in many homes,” Abbasi said.
Another resident, Maqsood Alam, who visited the riverbank in Shaheen Bagh today, told the OT that water level is rising but the bank itself is still dry, and therefore, its impact has not yet been felt in Shaheen Bagh, Zakir Nagar, or Abul Fazal Enclave, areas located close to the Yamuna. However, reports indicate that water has entered a neighbourhood near Khadar, adjacent to Shaheen Bagh.
The relief camp has been set up by the Delhi administration in coordination with Samaj Sudhar Trust, aiming to accommodate residents whose houses have been inundated due to rising water levels.
Abbasi said the flooding is primarily caused by backflow rather than direct river overflow. The affected areas include stretches near the Bombay Expressway and low-lying regions along the Yamuna’s banks. “I visited the affected localities myself and saw water entering many homes. These families had no option but to leave,” he said.
The school building, spread across three floors, has been fully opened for the evacuees. Food distribution began on Wednesday evening, with arrangements made for water supply and basic facilities. An SDM representative confirmed that cooked meals, drinking water, and temporary bedding have been provided, and more supplies are expected as additional families arrive over the next 24 hours.
“Jamia Nagar SHO Narpal Singh has deployed a team of Delhi Police personnel to ensure order and assist with coordination at the site. Our priority is to provide a safe and clean environment for the displaced residents,” he said.
Volunteers from Samaj Sudhar Trust urged the families to cooperate in maintaining hygiene and protecting the school property during their stay. “This is a community effort. We appeal to everyone to keep the premises clean and prevent children from creating unnecessary noise,” Abbasi added.
As the water levels continue to pose a risk in low-lying areas, the relief centre is expected to remain operational until conditions stabilise. Abbasi said more families might join the relief camp in coming days.
Incessant rain and release of water from Hathnikund has added to the misery. “Given the peak volume recorded, this flood spell is still less intense than some past events. However, the Yamuna has already started reclaiming stretches of its floodplain that have been encroached or altered,” said Bhim Singh Rawat, associate coordinator at the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP).
I&FC Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma said on Tuesday the Delhi government had activated a comprehensive flood preparedness plan, placing all departments on high alert.
“We are on a war footing. Officers, engineers, and ground staff are on 24-hour duty. From barrages to pumping stations, every mechanism is under strict monitoring,” Verma said, adding that he was personally reviewing coordination with the CWC, Delhi Jal Board(DJB), and the Haryana government.
Special focus, he said, was being placed on the Najafgarh Basin, one of the city’s most flood-prone zones. District magistrates in South West, South East, South, and Central Delhi have been instructed to keep contingency plans ready.
DJB has stationed staff on round-the-clock duty at pumping stations to manage water discharge and prevent sewer backflow. “We are ensuring continuous monitoring of water discharge from Hathnikund, Wazirabad and Okhla barrages, with hourly updates and real-time coordination across agencies,” Verma said. All district magistrates have also been directed to prepare evacuation centres and relief supplies in advance.
In recent days, heavy rain and flooding have battered several northern Indian states, causing extensive damage to life and property. Punjab has been among the worst-affected, with the state government announcing on Thursday (September 4, 2025) that around 37 lives have been lost due to severe flooding.
The Central government has deployed an inter-ministerial team to conduct detailed on-ground assessments in the flood-affected districts of the Jammu region over the next four days to evaluate the extent of the damage caused by the recent rains.
