Yamuna waterlogging causes massive traffic jams in Delhi
With the river breaching the 207-metre mark, key stretches including Kashmere Gate and Ring Road were inundated, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill
Massive traffic congestion occurred in several key stretches of Delhi on Thursday (September 4) as the Yamuna River’s overflowing water blocked roadways. Vehicles were seen moving at snail’s pace in areas such as Kashmere Gate, Ring Road, Outer Ring Road and Kalindi Kunj.
The sudden inundation inconvenienced the commuters at rush hour, leaving them stuck for long hours.
People gave updates and posted pictures on social media about the conditions that saw bumper-to-bumper traffic, and even short distances of two kilometres were taking hours to cover. Many said they had to leave their vehicles at home and take the Metro to reach the office.
Also read: Over 7,500 evacuated as Yamuna floods Delhi’s low-lying areas
Delhi traffic cops issue advisory
Delhi Traffic Police officials confirmed a heavy traffic jam along stretches near the Yamuna, with several points submerged.
“Traffic jams were witnessed at Kashmere Gate, along the Ring Road and Outer Ring Road, and around Kalindi Kunj, where floodwater accumulated on carriageways. Diversions had to be made to regulate movement,” one official said.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY
— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) September 4, 2025
Due to rising water levels in the Yamuna River, waterlogging has occurred on Outer Ring Road (Majnu Ka Tila–Ring Road By-Pass) and adjoining roads, causing heavy traffic.
📍 Avoid: Outer Ring Rd, Boulevard Rd, Raja Ram Kohli Marg, Vikas Marg, Salim Garh… pic.twitter.com/5PfrgOZf2g
The city traffic police also issued an advisory on Thursday for commuters, particularly urging those travelling from Changdi Ram Akhara towards Rajghat to use alternate routes.
According to the advisory, vehicles have been asked to move through Signature Bridge, then take Pusta Road and Raja Ram Kohli Marg before proceeding towards Rajghat and other destinations.
Also read: Residents of Yamuna floodplain in Delhi told to shift as water level rises steadily
“This arrangement has been made to ensure smoother vehicular movement and to avoid congestion,” a senior traffic police officer said.
Authorities urged commuters to avoid such flooded stretches altogether and instead use the Delhi Metro, which was operational as usual.
Meanwhile, public works department (PWD) officials attributed the accumulation to seepage issues rather than fresh water flowing in from the Yamuna.
Also read: Fresh flood alarm in UP as both Ganga and Yamuna rise amid heavy rain
“This is only rainfall water that is occurring due to poor seepage conditions in the area. It is taking more than usual time to clear out this water as the outlet to Yamuna is closed,” a PWD official claimed.
However, residents and commuters on social media shared videos showing Yamuna’s water flowing onto the road along the Mudrika Marg (Ring Road), stretching from Majnu Ka Tila through Chandgi Ram Akhara up to Nigam Bodh Ghat.
“Waterlogging has brought traffic to a standstill. We are moving at a snail's pace for more than an hour,” wrote one commuter on X.
A motorist near Kashmere Gate said, “I was stuck for nearly two hours just to cross a short stretch. Police were diverting traffic, but there was no clarity. Eventually, I parked my car and boarded the metro.”
Also read: Yamuna breaches danger mark; water begins entering Delhi’s trans-Yamuna area
Another commuter in the Kalindi Kunj area said waterlogging had completely blocked one side of the road, forcing all vehicles onto a single lane and worsening the jam.
Traffic snarls also had a cascading effect on neighbouring areas, with long tailbacks reported on stretches leading to Wazirabad, ISBT, Sarai Kale Khan and Ashram.
Also read: Delhi not facing flood threat, says CM Rekha Gupta
The traffic police have advised commuters to keep monitoring real-time updates on their official social media handles before stepping out.
“Please cooperate with the police and avoid flooded stretches. Opt for metro services wherever possible,” another police officer said.
Yamuna breaches 207 m mark
Yamuna’s waters have also submerged homes and destroyed shop goods in many areas. It breached the 207-metre mark on Wednesday (September 3, 2025), only for the fifth time in the last six decades.
Floodwaters reached near Delhi Secretariat, which houses the offices of the chief minister, cabinet ministers and key bureaucrats. The areas in the vicinity of Vasudev Ghat were also flooded.
(With Agency Inputs)