As Yamuna Floods Delhi, Vintage Illustrations Go Viral

After a span of 45 years, the powerful Yamuna River has made a remarkable comeback, reclaiming its rightful territory and engulfing everything in its path. 

Due to rains and several contributing factors, the Yamuna River has been consistently flowing above the danger mark of 205.33 metres since Sunday. On Wednesday, it surpassed the previous all-time record of 207.49 metres, leading to significant concerns. The last time such a situation occurred was in 1978, and the memories of that time are predominantly associated with difficult and challenging circumstances.  

This extraordinary occurrence has sparked numerous conversations on various social media platforms. People have been sharing fascinating pictures online to show the difference in how the Yamuna River used to be compared to its current condition. These "before-and-after" photographs depict how the river once flowed near the back wall of the historic Red Fort.

Additionally, vintage paintings and old pictures have been widely circulated on platforms like Twitter and Instagram to highlight the majestic beauty of the Yamuna River in the past, in contrast to its current state as a severely polluted stream.

Yamuna River floods Delhi, See the viral illustrations pictures here:

A river never forgets! Even after decades and centuries pass, the river would come back to recapture its borders. Yamuna reclaims it's floodplain. #Yamuna #DelhiFloods pic.twitter.com/VGjkvcW3yg

— Harsh Vats (@HarshVatsa7) July 13, 2023

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The once-majestic Yamuna River, which now evokes images of toxic foam and sewage-laden water, was not always in such a polluted and contaminated state as we witness today. In ancient times, it served as a lifeline for the city of Delhi, providing drinking water to the settlements along its banks.

Recently, on Thursday, floodwater from the Yamuna River reached a section of the Ring Road, specifically between the Red Fort and Salimgarh Fort in Delhi. Social media posts shared visuals of knee-deep water near the northern walls of the Mughal-era fort, highlighting the extent of the flooding and the impact on the historic structures in the area.

Suggested Reading: Govt Issues Advisory, Declares Yellow Alert: 10 Things On Delhi Floods