Continuous heavy rainfall combined with rising water levels in the Yamuna River has created a severe flood situation in Mathura and Agra. In Mathura, the Yamuna is flowing 86 centimeters above the danger mark, while in Agra the river has crossed the medium flood level. The administration has already issued a flood alert for the city. Meanwhile, in Kasganj, the Ganga is also flowing above the danger level, raising concerns for nearby towns and villages.
Rising Water Levels Near Taj Mahal and Temples
The danger is not confined to waterlogged streets. The water has reached close to the walls of the Taj Mahal and entered the premises of the Brahmalal Temple in Bateshwar. Officials are worried that if the level touches 500 feet, the situation could turn critical. The constant release of water from Gokul Barrage has made matters worse, pushing the Yamuna level higher each hour.
In Mathura, at Prayag Ghat, the Yamuna was measured at 166.58 meters on Thursday evening, already 58 centimeters above the danger mark. Within 24 hours, by Friday evening, it rose to 166.86 meters. Projections suggest that by midnight the level could cross one meter above the danger mark, threatening to push water into residential areas of the city.
Schools Shut Due to Heavy Rain
Heavy rain and waterlogging have forced the administration to shut schools across Mathura and Agra. Orders have been issued to keep all schools from nursery to class 12 closed on Saturday. The decision comes only two days after schools were last closed on September 4 for similar reasons. Authorities have confirmed that schools will reopen on Monday if conditions improve.
Yamuna Inches Close to Danger Mark
The Yamuna in Agra is currently flowing just eight inches below the danger level. Water has already begun to enter several neighborhoods. In Kailash village, floodwaters have reached residential areas, while colonies from Dayalbagh to Etmaduddaula are facing imminent risk. Popular tourist sites like the Taj View Point and Mehtab Bagh are submerged.
Bateshwar temple complexes are also inundated, forcing authorities to clear shops from the premises. The Irrigation Department predicts that by Saturday the Yamuna will cross 499 feet. This has raised serious concerns as water release from Hathini Kund Barrage and Gokul Barrage continues.
Barrage Releases Intensify the Crisis
The situation has worsened because of massive water releases. On September 1, Hathini Kund Barrage released 3.29 lakh cusecs of water. On Thursday alone, Gokul Barrage discharged 2,44,478 cusecs, causing havoc in Mathura. Later that evening, 1,11,523 cusecs were directed towards Agra, which increased to 1,26,151 cusecs by Friday night.
Officials explained that water released from Okhla Barrage takes three days to show its effect, while water from Gokul Barrage impacts the situation within 24 hours. Currently, the Yamuna has reached 498.2 feet, leaving the city dangerously close to a full flood.
Flooded Villages in Mathura and Agra
Several areas have already been affected. In Agra, the temple complex of Kailash village and a school playground in Dayalbagh are under water. Villages like Nagla Boodhi, Amar Vihar, Manoharpur, Sikandarpur, and Balkeshwar are waterlogged. Colonies near Motimahal, Katra Wazir Khan, Rambagh, and areas around Yamuna Kinara Road are also reporting severe flooding.
Administrative divisions such as Sadar Tehsil and Fatehabad Tehsil are witnessing major damage, with dozens of villages struggling under rising floodwaters.
Yamuna May Cross 500 Feet by Monday
Experts fear that by Monday the Yamuna could reach 500 feet. Former officials from the Irrigation Department believe that the current level combined with continuous releases from Gokul Barrage will push the water further up. District Magistrate Arvind Mallappa Bangari and senior officers are personally monitoring the situation.
Police forces have been deployed along the riverbanks, and ghats have been closed to the public. Loudspeaker announcements are being made in villages to alert residents about evacuation.
Chambal and Utangan Rivers Swell
The crisis is not limited to the Yamuna. Chambal and Utangan rivers are also swelling due to incessant rainfall. In Sadar Tehsil, villages like Samogar, Noorpur, Tanora, Burj, and Mehra Nahrganj are already submerged. In Fatehabad Tehsil, rising waters of the Utangan have entered farmlands in villages such as Varna, Shaluway, Nagar, and Nibohra, damaging standing crops.
The Chambal River has reached 125 meters, just two meters below the official flood warning level. Officials attribute this surge to inflows from Chambal’s tributaries. The rapid rise has spread fear among residents of nearby districts.
Impact on Daily Life and Tourism
The flooding has disrupted normal life across Mathura and Agra. Transportation routes are affected, with several roads submerged. Shops near temple complexes and riverbanks are being evacuated. For residents, the immediate concern is food, shelter, and safety as floodwaters threaten homes and farmlands.
The crisis is also affecting tourism, especially around the Taj Mahal. With water reaching dangerously close to the monument’s walls, authorities are keeping strict watch. Tourists visiting the Mehtab Bagh or Taj View Point have been restricted due to waterlogging.
Government Response and Relief Efforts
The administration has taken proactive measures by deploying police and disaster management teams. Evacuation of low-lying areas has begun, and temporary shelters are being prepared. Relief camps are being set up for affected families.
Officials are working around the clock to monitor barrage releases and predict river levels. Coordination between irrigation departments in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi is underway to manage water flow from Hathini Kund and Okhla barrages.
Heavy rainfall and rising water levels in the Yamuna River have created a flood crisis in Mathura and Agra. With the river flowing dangerously above safe limits and threatening to cross 500 feet, the administration is on high alert. Several villages are already inundated, schools have been closed, and evacuation measures are underway.
As Chambal and Utangan rivers also swell, the threat has expanded across multiple districts. The coming days are critical as officials brace for more water inflows. For residents, this is a time of anxiety, but the government’s immediate response and continuous monitoring aim to reduce the damage.
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