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Why is Yamuna River in the News
The Yamuna River recently escalated to the danger mark in Delhi amidst the 2025 monsoon season, causing floods in low-lying areas and prompting evacuation alerts. This critical situation has drawn attention to the river’s geographical importance and flood management strategies in the national capital and surrounding regions.
About Yamuna River
- Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand, part of the Greater Himalayas.
- It flows approximately 1376 km passing through Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and meeting the Ganga at Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj.
- The basin covers an area of about 366,223 sq km, supporting a population of over 57 million.
- Key tributaries of the river include Tons, Chambal, Betwa, and Ken.
- It is the lifeline of Delhi, providing water for drinking, agriculture, and industry, besides cultural and religious significance.
FAQs
Q1. Where does the Yamuna River originate and how long is it?
Answer: Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand and flows about 1376 km through northern India before joining the Ganga.
Q2. What caused the recent rise in Yamuna water levels in Delhi?
Answer: Heavy monsoon rains and large water releases from the Hathnikund and Wazirabad barrages upstream caused the water to rise above danger levels.
Q3. What areas in Delhi are most affected by Yamuna floods?
Answer: Low-lying areas such as Yamuna Bazar, Kashmiri Gate, Majnu ka Tilla, and Geeta Colony experienced flooding and waterlogging.
Q4. What measures have been taken to manage the flood situation?
Answer: Evacuation warnings, relief camps, deployment of NDRF and SDRF teams, and floodlights powered by solar energy have been arranged to aid affected populations.
