From Delhi to Agra: Satellite images show alarmingly swollen Yamuna 

The water levels of the Yamuna river have risen sharply, flooding many low-lying areas along its banks in several cities, including Delhi, Mathura and Agra.

If its level continues to rise, the river could create a 2023-like situation when the floodwaters had reached the outer walls of the Taj Mahal.

Satellite images show the river stretch behind the Taj Mahal has dramatically expanded from 193-meter to 558 meter.

On Wednesday, the Yamuna river was flowing at 493.5 feet mark in Agra, inching close to the low flood level of 495 feet after 1,39,000 cusecs of water was released from the Gokul Barrage in Mathura.

Now, as levels continue to rise, the government has placed 40 villages in Agra on high alert, particularly vulnerable areas like Dussehra Ghat. The situation is similar in Mathura, where rising waters are causing flood-like conditions across settlements close to the riverbanks.

Further upstream in Delhi, the Yamuna crossed the danger mark of 205.78 meters on Tuesday. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inspected flood-prone stretches, assuring residents that a preparedness plan has been activated.

While the river was flowing just below the danger mark on Wednesday morning, officials remain on high alert as the Central Water Commission forecast levels may touch 206 meters due to heavy rainfall in the upper basin and releases from the Hathnikund Barrage. Low-lying areas like Yamuna Bazar are already facing the impact.

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