Field Study
Report
on the yamuna flood
Submitted by: Riya RajKishore Singh
2025/150, Manjubala 2025/1725
And Nutan Yadav 2025/158 and
Ridhima singh 2025/244
Skill Enhancement Course :
Environmental Impact and Risk
Management (GEOGRAPHY
DEPARTMENT)
College: Miranda House
Date of field visit : 1 november,2025
Teacher: Saransh Ma’am
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Riya RajKishor Singh, Nutan yadav And
Manjubala, students of history hons and political science hons,
Semester I, Miranda House, University of Delhi, has successfully
completed this Field Study Report on “The Yamuna Flood” under
the guidance of Saransh Ma’am, Department of Geography.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Saransh Ma’am for her
constant guidance, motivation, and support throughout this field study. I am
also thankful to the Department of Geography, Miranda House, for giving
me the opportunity to conduct this project. I extend my thanks to my
classmates, local residents along the Yamuna River, and all officials whose
cooperation made this study possible
1. Abstract [Link] .
3. Certificate [Link]
5. Introduction [Link] of the Study TABLE
[Link] [Link] Area Description
9. Historical Overview of Yamuna Floods
10. Causes of Floods
.
11. The 2023 Yamuna Flood in Delhi
12. Impacts of the Flood 13. Government and
OF
Community Responses 14. Survey
[Link] Management and Mitigation Measures
.
16. Findings
18. Conclusion
17. Suggestions
19. References
CONTENTS
20. Photo Gallery
.
Introduction
The Yamuna River is one of the major tributaries of the Ganga River and
flows through the northern plains of India, covering important states like
Uttarakhand, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. Over the centuries, the
river has served as a source of livelihood, irrigation, drinking water, and
religious faith. However, it has also been a cause of concern due to
frequent floods, which cause extensive damage to property, crops, and
human lives.
Flooding in the Yamuna River basin has become a recurring issue
due to monsoon variability, urban encroachments, and poor
drainage systems. The 2023 flood in Delhi was one of the worst in
recent history, submerging roads, homes, and heritage sites. This
report explores both the natural and human-induced reasons
behind the floods and evaluates the effectiveness of the response
mechanisms
Objectives of the Study
1. To study the geographical characteristics of the Yamuna River Basin.
2. To understand the historical pattern of floods in the Yamuna region.
3. To analyze the main causes and consequences of the floods.
4. To examine the 2023 flood in Delhi as a case study.
5. To assess the role of government and community in flood management.
6. To suggest measures for flood control and sustainable management of
the Yamuna River.
Methodology
This field study is based on a combination of primary and
secondary data.
Primary sources include field observations, interactions
with residents of flood-prone areas, and visual
documentation of the affected regions.
Secondary sources include reports from the Central
Water Commission (CWC), National Disaster Management
Authority (NDMA), and newspapers such as The Hindu and
Times of India.
Analytical methods have been used to interpret data and
prepare conclusions.
Study Area Description
The Yamuna River Basin extends across seven states—
Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh,
Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. The total length of the river is
about 1,376 km.
The focus area for this study is the Delhi stretch of the
Yamuna, which runs approximately 48 km through the city. The
floodplains are low-lying areas used for farming, settlements,
and informal housing.
Geographical Coordinates: 28°24′–28°53′ N, 76°50′–77°20′ E
Climate: Tropical monsoon
Average rainfall: 600–700 mm annually,
mostly between June and September
Historical Overview oF Yamuna Floods
Historical Overview of Yamuna FloodsFloods in the Yamuna have
been recorded since the Mughal period. Historical accounts
mention severe floods in 1884, 1924, 1947, 1978, 2010, 2013, and
2023.
The 1978 flood is considered one of the most disastrous, with
water levels touching 207.49 meters at the Old Railway Bridge
in Delhi. Thousands were displaced, and major infrastructure
was damaged.
With rapid urbanization, deforestation, and siltation in the river
channel, the frequency and intensity of floods have increased
over the years.
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Introduction
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sem.
Causes of Yamuna Floods
1. Heavy Monsoon Rainfall
Most floods occur during the southwest monsoon, when excessive
rainfall in the upper catchment areas leads to high discharge levels
downstream.
2. Release of Water from Dams
Sudden release from upstream barrages like Hathnikund Barrage
increases water flow into Delhi.
3. Encroachment and Urbanization
Construction along floodplains and the narrowing of the river channel
obstruct the natural flow.
4. Poor Drainage and Waste Dumping Blocked drains and accumulated silt
reduce the carrying capacity of the river.
5. Climate Change Erratic rainfall patterns and extreme weather events
are increasing flood risks in recent decades.
The 2023 Yamuna Flood in Delhi
In July 2023, Delhi faced its worst flood in 45 years. The Yamuna crossed the danger mark of 205.33 meters,
reaching up to 208.66 meters.
Major Impacts:
Areas like ITO, Civil Lines, and Yamuna Bazar were submerged.
Thousands of families were evacuated to relief camps.
Heritage sites like the Red Fort and Rajghat faced waterlogging.
Power supply, metro services, and traffic were disrupted.
Experts attributed the disaster to excessive rainfall in Himachal
Pradesh and Uttarakhand, combined with the sudden release of
water from Hathnikund Barrage.
text
Impacts of the Flood
1. Social Impact
Displacement of low-income families living along the floodplains
.Outbreak of waterborne diseases.
Loss of schools and community centers.
2. Economic Impact
Damage to crops, especially vegetables and fruits in low-lying areas.
Loss of property and goods due to submergence.
Increased burden on government for relief expenditure.
3. Environmental Impact
Erosion of riverbanks.
Pollution due to mixing of sewage and floodwaters.
Loss of aquatic biodiversity.
Government and Community Response
The Delhi Government, NDMA, NDRF, and local NGOs
coordinated relief efforts.
Evacuation: Over 25,000 people were shifted to safe
zones.
Relief Camps: Provided food, water, and medical care.
Rescue Operations: Carried out by the NDRF and Indian
Army.
Public Awareness: Announcements and alerts issued to
prevent panic.
Despite these efforts, lack of coordination and slow
response were key challenges.
Flood Management and
Mitigation Measures
1. Early Warning Systems: Installation of flood gauges and digital
monitoring by CWC.
2. River Zoning: Preventing construction in flood-prone areas.
3. Afforestation: Increasing green cover to absorb rainwater.
4. Drainage Improvement: Regular cleaning of city drains.
5. Public Education: Awareness programs on flood safety.
6. Sustainable Urban Planning: Restoring wetlands and natural buffers.
Survey and Questionnaire
As part of the field study, a small survey was conducted among
seven residents living in the flood-affected zones near the Yamuna
floodplains — including Yamuna Bazar, Civil Lines, Nigambodh Ghat,
ITO Bridge area, and Old Usmanpur. The purpose was to record the
experiences, opinions, and challenges faced by people directly
affected by the 2023 Yamuna flood.
Sample Size: 7 respondents
Survey Method: Face-to-face interviews and short questionnaires
Question Types: Mixed — Multiple Choice and Open-ended
QUESTION 1
Question 1: How severely were you affected by the 2023 Yamuna flood?
(a) Very severely (lost home/livelihood)
(b) Moderately (temporary damage or displacement)
(c) Slightly (minor inconvenience)
(d) Not affected personally
Responses:
R1 (Rekha Devi, 38, Yamuna Bazar): (a) Very severely – “My house near the river completely flooded, and we had to live in a tent for
ten days.”
R2 (Mohammad Imran, 42, Civil Lines): (b) Moderately – “Water entered our ground floor, but we moved to a relative’s house.”
R3 (Anita Sharma, 29, ITO): (c) Slightly – “Just two days of waterlogging; no major loss.”
R4 (Rajesh Kumar, 51, Nigambodh Ghat): (a) Very severely – “We lost our small shop and household goods.”
R5 (Pooja, 23, Old Usmanpur): (a) Very severely – “My family was rescued by a boat; all our things were gone.”
R6 (Sanjay, 33, near Red Fort): (b) Moderately – “It took a week to clean our house; everything was muddy.”
R7 (Meena, 47, Yamuna Khadar): (a) Very severely – “Crops and cattle both were lost. It was a nightmare.”
Observation:
Five respondents reported being very severely affected, showing the flood’s devastating local impact.
QUESTION 2
Question 2: What was the main source of information or warning about the coming flood?
(a) Television/News channels
(b) Social media (WhatsApp, Twitter, etc.)
(c) Local government or police announcement
(d) No prior warning received
Responses:
R1: (d) No warning – “We only realized when water entered our street.”
R2: (a) Television – “Saw it on the news the night before.”
R3: (b) Social media – “Got a message on WhatsApp.”
R4: (c) Police announcement – “Loudspeakers were used in our area.”
R5: (b) Social media – “Heard from a friend’s phone message.”
R6: (d) No warning – “We got no alert until water started rising.”
R7: (a) Television – “Watched on local Hindi news channel.”
Observation:
Most respondents got information through informal sources like social media or television, while two received no official warning, indicating a gap in
communication.
QUESTION 3
Question 3: What kind of help did you receive during the flood?
(a) Relief camps and food supplies
(b) Medical assistance
(c) Financial support
(d) No help received
Responses:
R1: (a) Relief camps and food – “The camp near ITO gave us food for three days.”
R2: (a) Relief camps and food – “The government provided meals twice a day.”
R3: (d) No help – “We managed on our own.”
R4: (b) Medical help – “A mobile team came and gave medicines for fever.”
R5: (a) Relief camp and food – “The NGOs helped with cooked food.”
R6: (d) No help – “Nobody reached our street for two days.”
R7: (a) Relief camp and food – “They gave blankets and rice packets.”
Observation:
Most people received basic relief like food and shelter, but medical and financial help were minimal, showing a need for broader disaster relief
planning.
QUESTION 4
Question 4: What do you think is the main reason for repeated flooding of the Yamuna River? (Open-ended)
Responses:
R1: “Too many houses built close to the river.”
R2: “Release of water from Hathnikund Barrage.”
R3: “Heavy rains and blocked drains.”
R4: “Encroachments and waste dumping in Yamuna.”
R5: “Government doesn’t clean the river or remove illegal colonies.”
R6: “Deforestation in upper areas and too much concrete in Delhi.”
R7: “Climate change and no planning by authorities.”
Observation:
Residents show a clear understanding that both human and natural factors—especially encroachments, rainfall, and mismanagement—contribute
to frequent floods.
QUESTION 5
Question 5: What steps should the government take to prevent such floods in the future? (Open-ended)
Responses:
R1: “Stop construction near the river and relocate families.”
R2: “Warn people earlier through messages.”
R3: “Clean the Yamuna regularly.”
R4: “Build higher embankments and better drainage.”
R5: “Provide permanent houses for poor people.”
R6: “Plant more trees and stop cutting near the flood zone.”
R7: “Make strong flood control plans and involve local people.”
Observation:
People demand long-term solutions—cleaning, planning, and resettlement—indicating awareness and willingness to cooperate with authorities
if proper measures are taken.
Summary and Analysis Conclusion from the Survey
From the seven-person survey, it is clear that:The responses from residents show that they
are both victims and observers of the
Five out of seven respondents were severely changing river system.
affected.
.
Most relied on informal alerts (TV, WhatsApp)
Their insights underline the urgent need for
rather than official warnings.
early warning systems, floodplain
Relief camps were the main form of help, though management, and public participation in
not all received assistance. maintaining the health of the Yamuna.
Respondents identified urban encroachment, The survey highlights that while floods are
waste dumping, and poor drainage as major natural phenomena, their impact can be
causes.
reduced through awareness, planning, and
stronger government-community
There is strong community demand for river
cleaning, resettlement, and better preparedness. coordination.
Findings
Flooding in the Yamuna is both natural and human-
induced.
Encroachment on floodplains has worsened the
problem.
The 2023 flood demonstrated the fragility of urban
infrastructure.
Government response was effective but needs better
preparedness and coordination.
Suggestions
1. Strict implementation of river zoning regulations.
2. Development of permanent flood shelters.
3. Increased coordination between states for water
release management.
4. Integration of flood data with urban planning.
5. Regular desilting and cleaning of Yamuna channel.
6. Community participation in disaster preparedness.
CONCLUSION
Floods along the Yamuna River are not merely natural disasters but
reflections of human negligence and ecological imbalance. The 2023 flood
was a reminder that unplanned urbanization, poor river management, and
climate change together can turn a manageable river into a disaster zone.
Sustainable flood management requires cooperation between government
agencies, local communities, and environmental experts.
Only through integrated efforts can Delhi ensure that the Yamuna—once a
symbol of purity and prosperity—does not continue to be a threat to life
and livelihood.
References
Central Water Commission (CWC) Report on Floods, 2023.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
Guidelines, 2019.
“Yamuna Crosses Danger Mark in Delhi.” The Hindu,
Times of India, “Heavy Rains in Himachal Cause Record Flow
in Yamuna,”
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Rainfall Bulletin,
July
Delhi Jal Board, Flood Management and Drainage Plan.
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