The Yamuna River’s relentless surge has transformed Delhi’s low-lying areas into a watery nightmare, submerging homes, markets, and livelihoods in a deluge that has left residents struggling to survive. With the river level reaching a dangerous 207 meters by 1 pm on Wednesday, authorities scrambled to evacuate families from areas like Majnu ka Tila, Madanpur Khadar, and Badarpur, but for many, the damage is already done. Streets have turned into streams, marketplaces into murky pools, and displaced residents are now huddled in makeshift roadside shelters, surviving on biscuits and facing an uncertain future.

In Majnu ka Tila, the bustling market has fallen eerily silent as floodwaters inundated shops and homes. Shopkeeper Anup Thapa, who evacuated his store late Tuesday night, described the chaos: “We saved most of our goods, but some were ruined. Repairing the shop will cost a fortune.” Now living in a roadside camp with his wife and three-year-old daughter, Thapa voiced frustration over recurring floods, recalling a similar crisis in 2023. “The government must clean the streets and fix this area to prevent this from happening again,” he urged, pointing to hazardous low-hanging electric wires dangling above the floodwater.

In Madanpur Khadar, families who lost their jhuggis are sheltering under tattered plastic sheets along roadsides. Tayara, a resident, lamented, “All our belongings are underwater. We grabbed what we could, but women are struggling without access to toilets.” The lack of basic facilities has forced families to rely on kiosks for food, with many surviving on biscuits and buns due to the inability to cook. Stray dogs, too, have been seen climbing staircases of abandoned homes to escape the rising waters, a poignant symbol of the crisis’s severity.

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At Yamuna Bazaar, homes and shops appeared to be standing in the middle of a river, with water swallowing cars, motorcycles, and furniture. Shopkeeper Rohit Kumar expressed despair: “Our earnings are gone, yet we still owe rent. Rebuilding will take everything we have.” In Badarpur, the situation was equally grim, with house roofs barely visible above the floodwater. Resident Asif, balancing salvaged belongings on his head, shared his heartbreak: “I built this home with years of hard work for my family, and now it’s underwater. Some people are still trapped inside.”

The closure of the Old Railway Bridge and severe traffic disruptions have compounded the chaos, while power outages have darkened entire neighborhoods. Residents, including the elderly, were seen wading through waist-deep water, clutching whatever possessions they could salvage. Small roadside tents have become temporary homes for many, who watch helplessly as their livelihoods vanish.

Authorities have issued warnings to avoid waterlogged areas, but for those already displaced, the focus is on survival and recovery. The government faces mounting pressure to provide immediate relief and long-term solutions to prevent future flooding, as Delhi’s residents brace for the daunting task of rebuilding their lives once the waters recede.

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