Yamuna hits danger mark in Noida, 3,000 displaced

Noida: The Yamuna reached the danger mark of 200.6 metres at Okhla Barrage on Thursday morning, leading to the release of 2.4 lakh cusec. The sudden rise inundated extensive areas of farmland, nurseries, sports stadiums, and farmhouses, compelling nearly 3,000 residents to abandon their homes and livelihoods for the uncertain safety of the embankments.The impact was predominantly observed across 26 villages lining the Yamuna, including Raipur Bangar, Wajidpur, Chak Basantpur, Nagli Behrampur, Chak Mangrola, Dostpur Mangroli Khadar, Gulavali, and Kambakshpur. Along the 87km embankment that safeguards Noida, Greater Noida, and Jewar, families were seen carrying what they could salvage — bedsheets, tents, fans, and cattle — to higher ground.For Nirmala, a gardener who relocated from Rae Bareilly a decade ago, the situation is both physical and emotional. Resting on a cot in a makeshift tent with her five-year-old daughter Chandini, she stated, "The water level started rising gradually. We moved here two days ago as we feared for her safety." The disruption has jeopardised Chandini's schooling.Others, like Ram Shri, have witnessed their efforts being washed away. "I brought my children and cattle here. But my buffalo is unwell, and I can't find a vet. I don't know if it will survive," she said, estimating his losses at around Rs 20,000.The embankment has become both a lifeline and a bottleneck, with hundreds of families blocking one arm of Pusta Road and diverting traffic to the other. The crisis is exacerbated in villages like Momnathal, where floodwaters from both the Yamuna and Hindon have submerged homes. "Hindon meets Yamuna in Momnathal. Over the past few days, water level has flooded the area. We even organised a protest today for lack of safety measures," said Nem Singh, a villager.In Jewar's Ranhera village, infrastructural issues complicated the situation. "The govt dismantled our old drain for the airport project and built a new one that has failed to handle stormwater. This is leading to recurrent waterlogging in Rahnera," said Manish Singh.Amid the chaos, teams from the district administration and police have mobilised for relief and rescue. On Thursday, police and NDRF personnel evacuated 35 people from the floodplain areas in Knowledge Park and Dankaur. "We have so far rescued 3,000 people and 2,500 cattle, relocating them to six shelter homes in Wajidpur, Sector 150 and other areas. We are also providing lodging and food. We hope the situation improves soon," said SDM (Sadar) Ashutosh Gupta.Executive engineer BK Singh of Agra canal works division said, "Yamuna's water level stood at 200.6 metres throughout the day while the discharge was 2.4 lakh cusec. The danger mark is also 200.6 metres. In 2023, the water level was recorded highest at 200.75m and the discharge was 3.73 lakh cusec," he added. A forest department official said although water level was high at Okhla Bird Sanctuary, there was no cause for panic as the barrage's gates were open. Hindon, meanwhile, remains well below the danger mark. The river, with a danger mark of 205.8m, is currently at 200m.