- By Akansha Pandey
- Sat, 06 Sep 2025 09:52 AM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
Even as the Yamuna floodwaters recede, a new man-made crisis has gripped Delhi. Drains that were intentionally blocked as a safety measure to prevent river water from entering the city have now become the source of massive waterlogging. With the drainage system completely choked, large parts of the city are now underwater, severely affecting residents in areas like Hastsal in Uttam Nagar, Jahangirpuri, Hakikat Nagar in Mukherjee Nagar, and Civil Lines.
The problem is so severe that hundreds of homes have been inundated, with water levels reaching one to two feet in many localities. Frustrated with the failed drainage system, residents of Hakikat Nagar took to the streets to protest. When a group of women blocked a major road, Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh and local MLA Surya Prakash Khatri had to intervene to pacify the crowd. Police also had a difficult time clearing the protesters from the road.
Yamuna Drops Below 207 Metres In Delhi
The water level of the Yamuna river came down to 206.47 metres at the Old Railway Bridge (ORB) on Saturday, dropping below 207 metres after several days, officials said. The river, which has flooded parts of the national capital and triggered the evacuation of thousands, still remains above the danger mark of 205.33 metres.
The warning mark for the city is 204.50 metres, while the danger mark is 205.33 metres, and evacuation of people starts at 206 metres.
Areas Hit Hard By Waterlogging
The Najafgarh Drain Problem: The issue stems from the 57-kilometer-long Najafgarh drain, a major channel that carries water from nearly 122 smaller drains through the city before emptying into the Yamuna. The gates of this drain were closed to stop the swollen Yamuna from backflowing into Delhi. Now, this very precaution is causing widespread flooding in residential areas.
Hakikat Nagar and Civil Lines: From upscale Civil Lines to Hakikat Nagar and SFS Flats in North Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar, the drainage system has collapsed. The situation in Hakikat Nagar is a grim repeat of 2023, with water levels reaching two feet. Most ground-floor apartments in the colony's 384 flats have been flooded. The streets are impassable, and even the entrance to the Mukherjee Nagar police station is under two feet of water.
Jahangirpuri: In North-West Delhi, the blocked drains have caused chaos in Jahangirpuri. A local slum cluster is submerged in two feet of water, while other blocks and MCD flats have been dealing with one foot of water for two days. The Jahangirpuri police station premises have also been flooded, with water both inside and outside the building.
Uttam Nagar: The situation is just as critical in West Delhi's Hastsal area. After the gates of the Pankha Road drain were closed due to rising levels in the Najafgarh drain, the entire drainage system of the Hastsal DDA colony failed. For the last four days, every street, lane, and park has been filled with black, dirty, and foul-smelling water. The unbearable stench has made it impossible for residents to even step out of their homes.
Mayor Promises Action
Responding to the crisis, Delhi's Mayor, Raja Iqbal Singh, stated, "The flood situation in areas around the Yamuna is being taken very seriously, and all possible assistance is being provided to affected citizens. Our top priority is to clear the waterlogging at the earliest and restore normal life. We are deploying additional resources wherever drainage is obstructed to fix the situation."
