The national capital Delhi is battling severe disruptions caused by flooding in the Yamuna River. Rising water levels have brought railway services, metro stations, and bus terminals under direct impact. For the second consecutive day, train movement over the iconic Iron Bridge remained suspended due to safety concerns. As a result, nearly 99 trains have been affected, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or forced to alter their travel plans.
Train Services Affected by Yamuna Floods
Northern Railway confirmed that 40 trains have been cancelled and 34 others diverted due to the closure of the Iron Bridge. These include major services connecting Delhi to Ghaziabad, Sonipat, Panipat, Shamli, and Saharanpur. Long-distance routes like the Jammu Tawi–Shalimar Express were also disrupted.
Railway officials explained that safety was the primary reason for halting operations on the Iron Bridge, which carries heavy traffic daily. Until water levels recede, regular services cannot resume, and passengers are being advised to check updates before planning travel. Despite diversions, commuters continue to face overcrowding, delays, and inconvenience at several stations.
Metro Services Disrupted at Yamuna Bank
The Delhi Metro also faced disruptions as floodwaters reached the Yamuna Bank Metro Station located on the Blue Line between Noida and Dwarka. On Thursday, authorities stopped entry and exit at the station to ensure commuter safety. However, train operations and interchange services continued without interruption.
This precautionary step remained in place throughout the day. Although metro trains were running, passengers were unable to enter or exit from the Yamuna Bank station, causing confusion and inconvenience for regular commuters. Floodwater control remains a major challenge, and Delhi Metro authorities are monitoring the situation closely.
Delhi–Dehradun Expressway Partially Opened by Locals
In northeast Delhi, frustration over blocked roads due to flooding led residents to take matters into their own hands. On Wednesday night, bikers and locals manually removed stones placed to restrict access and opened a portion of the Delhi–Saharanpur–Dehradun Expressway near Shastri Park Chowk.
Two-wheeler riders used the loop to climb onto the expressway despite restrictions, highlighting the desperation among commuters trapped in traffic jams and diversions. Authorities have warned against such unauthorized actions, but growing pressure on city roads during floods has made enforcement difficult.
Kashmiri Gate Bus Terminal Underwater
The situation worsened at Kashmiri Gate Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), where rainwater accumulated inside the premises. Buses had to be parked in knee-deep water, making it difficult for passengers to board or alight. Many travelers were seen wading through flooded areas to reach their buses.
Waterlogging persisted for two consecutive days, paralyzing one of the busiest bus terminals in the country. Passengers expressed frustration over the lack of drainage and timely pumping of water from the ISBT complex. With inter-state services hampered, commuters bound for Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana struggled to find alternative routes.
DTC Headquarters Shuts Down Due to Flooding
Flooding also affected the Delhi Transport Corporation headquarters located near the Yamuna. The drainage channel adjacent to the building, which was diverted to stop Yamuna backflow into residential areas, overflowed on Thursday. As a result, dirty water flooded the entire DTC office complex.
The flooding forced authorities to close down the headquarters as officials and staff could not access the premises. Work will remain suspended until the water is pumped out. Nearby, the Indraprastha DTC depot also went underwater, disrupting the movement of buses and worsening the transport crisis across the city.
Impact on Daily Life in Delhi
The Yamuna’s rising water level has created a citywide crisis. Train cancellations, metro entry restrictions, and bus service interruptions have collectively disrupted daily commuting for lakhs of residents. Roads are congested with diverted traffic, while waterlogging in low-lying areas has left many neighborhoods inaccessible.
People residing along the Yamuna’s floodplains have been moved to temporary shelters, but relief facilities remain overstretched. Commuters, office-goers, and students face long delays and chaotic travel conditions. The flood has highlighted once again the fragility of Delhi’s transport and drainage systems during extreme weather.
Government and Administrative Response
Northern Railway continues to issue advisories about cancelled and diverted trains. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has set up teams to monitor flood-prone stretches and take immediate precautionary measures. Meanwhile, the Delhi government has deployed pumps and emergency personnel to handle waterlogging at major transport hubs.
Authorities have warned residents to avoid flood-affected zones and follow official advisories. Relief operations are being conducted in submerged localities, and priority is being given to restoring essential services. However, officials admitted that normalcy will take time to return as water levels remain dangerously high.
Long-Term Concerns for Delhi
The recurring floods of the Yamuna have raised questions about Delhi’s flood preparedness and infrastructure planning. Despite multiple warnings and previous experiences, the city continues to suffer extensive transport disruptions every monsoon. Experts stress the need for stronger embankments, better drainage systems, and sustainable urban planning to manage flood risks.
Citizens are demanding long-term solutions rather than temporary relief measures. With climate change intensifying rainfall patterns, Delhi faces the challenge of adapting its infrastructure to handle frequent floods. The current crisis is a reminder that without robust planning, the capital will continue to face annual disruptions.
The Yamuna floods of September 2025 have left Delhi’s transport system crippled. With 40 trains cancelled, 34 diverted, metro station closures, and Kashmiri Gate ISBT submerged, the disruption has affected every mode of public transport. The closure of the DTC headquarters and depots further underlines the scale of the crisis.
While authorities are engaged in rescue and relief operations, commuters continue to bear the brunt of the chaos. The disaster highlights the urgent need for long-term flood management and urban resilience planning. For now, Delhi struggles to navigate through another season of waterlogged roads, stranded passengers, and paralyzed transport networks.
