Delhi witnessed severe traffic disruptions on Thursday after Yamuna river water entered major roads, paralyzing the city’s morning rush. The floodwater caused heavy jams at Kashmiri Gate, Ring Road, Outer Ring Road, and Kalindi Kunj. Commuters faced extreme delays, with many reporting that even short stretches took hours to cross. Delhi Traffic Police implemented diversions to manage the situation and appealed to citizens to use alternative routes and public transport.
Waterlogged Streets Halt Morning Commute
As office-goers left their homes in the early hours, they were met with flooded streets across several parts of the city. From Kashmiri Gate to Kalindi Kunj, water accumulation made major stretches nearly impassable. Long queues of vehicles stretched across Ring Road and Outer Ring Road. Social media users shared videos showing cars crawling at a snail’s pace, while some claimed they abandoned their vehicles and shifted to Delhi Metro for relief.
Traffic Police Responds with Diversions
Delhi Traffic Police confirmed that waterlogging near Yamuna had left several roads submerged, leading to complete standstills in parts of the city. Areas around Kashmiri Gate, Kalindi Kunj, and sections of Ring Road were the worst affected.
To ease congestion, police enforced diversions. An advisory urged commuters traveling from Chandgi Ram Akhara to Rajghat to use Signature Bridge, Pusta Road, and Raja Ram Kohli Marg. A senior police officer said arrangements were in place to keep traffic flowing and requested citizens to cooperate by following the diversions.
Delhi Metro Becomes the Lifeline
While roads remained choked, Delhi Metro services operated smoothly, offering commuters a much-needed alternative. With many arterial routes closed or severely congested, the metro became the most reliable option for thousands. A passenger traveling through Kalindi Kunj said the jam was so severe that the metro was the only way to avoid getting stranded.
PWD Claims Rainwater, Not Yamuna Flood
Officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) stated that the water on the roads was not from the Yamuna but rainwater that had accumulated due to poor drainage systems. An officer explained that there was no significant overflow from the river, and instead, inadequate seepage had led to flooding on the streets.
However, commuters and residents contradicted this claim by posting videos on social media. Clips showed Yamuna water spilling over from Majnu ka Tila to Chandgi Ram Akhara and Nigambodh Ghat along the Ring Road. One user commented that this was not ordinary rainwater but a clear sign of the Yamuna flooding into the city, causing hours of immobilized traffic.
Ripple Effect on Neighboring Areas
The impact of the waterlogging was not confined to Ring Road and Kalindi Kunj. Congestion extended into adjoining regions like Wazirabad, ISBT, Sarai Kale Khan, and Ashram. The ripple effect led to gridlock across large parts of the capital, trapping commuters in traffic for long durations and crippling the city’s pace.
Commuters Share Anguish Online
Frustrated commuters flooded social media with images and videos of the chaos. Many criticized the authorities for poor infrastructure and ineffective drainage systems. Hashtags related to Delhi traffic trended as residents voiced their anger. Some lamented losing work hours, while others shared how schoolchildren were delayed due to buses being stuck for hours in the jam.
Infrastructure Concerns Raised Again
This incident once again highlighted Delhi’s vulnerability to waterlogging. Despite repeated promises of drainage improvements, even moderate rainfall or a minor river swell results in massive disruption. Experts point out that the combination of poor sewage infrastructure, encroached drains, and unplanned urban expansion exacerbates the crisis every monsoon season.
Authorities Urge Patience and Alternatives
Police and civic authorities urged citizens to avoid affected stretches and depend on Delhi Metro until the situation normalizes. Officials said dewatering pumps were deployed in several locations, and efforts were underway to restore normal traffic flow. Residents, however, stressed that temporary fixes would not solve Delhi’s recurring flood and traffic woes.
The flooding of Yamuna water onto Delhi’s major roads on Thursday brought the city to a grinding halt. With long traffic jams, diversions, and severe disruptions, commuters faced a nightmarish start to their day. While PWD attributed the problem to rainwater and poor drainage, videos shared online suggested otherwise. The ripple effect across Kashmiri Gate, Kalindi Kunj, Ring Road, and adjoining areas demonstrated how fragile the capital’s traffic management system remains during floods.
As Delhi grapples with this crisis, one thing is clear: without sustainable drainage solutions and better flood preparedness, such incidents will continue to paralyze the city every monsoon season. For now, Delhi Metro remains the capital’s savior while authorities attempt to bring the chaos under control.
