Noida, September 2, 2025 – Heavy rains upstream have pushed the Yamuna River’s water level higher, putting parts of Noida on high alert for possible flooding. As of this morning, the river has crossed the danger mark in nearby Delhi, and the spillover is already affecting low-lying areas in Noida, like Yakubpur. Residents in flood-prone spots are moving to safer places, while local officials scramble to handle the situation. This rise comes after a big release of water from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana, and it’s reminding everyone of last year’s floods that hit the region hard.
The water level at Delhi’s Old Railway Bridge hit 205.75 meters early today, going past the danger point of 205.33 meters. That’s up from 204.87 meters yesterday, and experts say it could climb to 206.50 meters by evening, which is when evacuations kick in for good. The main cause? Over 292,000 cusecs of water gushing out from Hathnikund, plus steady rain in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. All this extra water is flowing down to Delhi and Noida, swelling the river banks.
In Noida, the impact is clear in places like Yakubpur, where houses in the floodplains are now surrounded by water. People have been seen wading through chest-deep floods, carrying their belongings in buckets and on their heads to get to dry land. One local described the water reaching 5 to 10 feet in some spots, forcing families to leave everything behind. Around 250 residents have already shifted, and the district administration has evacuated about 800 cows to higher ground. They’re holding meetings non-stop and sending out warnings to folks in lower areas to stay ready.
It’s not just homes at risk. Roads are getting waterlogged, and traffic is a mess in nearby Gurugram and Ghaziabad too. In Delhi, the Yamuna has breached its banks in Yamuna Bazaar, flooding streets and homes, and the Old Railway Bridge is set to close for vehicles from 5 pm today to avoid accidents. Noida’s CEO has arranged for fodder and water for animals, and relief camps are popping up in places like Mayur Vihar, which borders Noida. The government says they’re on top of it – irrigation teams, police, and volunteers are all on high alert, and there’s no need to panic yet.
But for people living along the river, it’s a scary time. Farmers in Noida’s villages worry about their crops drowning, and families recall how last year’s floods washed away homes and livelihoods. “We can’t fight the river,” one resident from Yakubpur said. “We just have to move and hope it doesn’t get worse.” Weather folks predict more rain in the coming days, so the water might keep rising before it starts to drop.
Officials are urging everyone to avoid riverbanks and low areas. If the level hits 206 meters, full-scale evacuations will start, and boats might be needed for rescues. For now, Noida is holding its breath, hoping the barrage releases slow down and the skies clear up. This event shows how connected Delhi and Noida are when it comes to the Yamuna – what happens upstream hits us all.
