Archive · 20 Jul 2026
Yamuna floodplains shrank by a third in a century, study links it to higher flood risk
A recent study found that the Yamuna River's floodplains in Delhi have shrunk by about one-third over the past century.
This is due to things like building barrages, making embankments, and lots of city growth.
These changes have made the river narrower and less able to handle big floods.
The study looked at old maps and satellite pictures to see how the river has changed over time.
They found that the river's natural flow has been reduced a lot, which makes flooding worse.
The researchers say we need to think carefully about how we use the river and its floodplains to protect against future floods.
Yamuna's floodplains in Delhi have shrunk by about one-third over the past century due to urbanization and infrastructure development.
The river's channel has narrowed by 68%, and its formative discharge has reduced by 89%, increasing flood vulnerability.
Barrages like Tajewala, Wazirabad, and Okhla have significantly altered the Yamuna's natural flow regime.
Around 45 sq km of floodplains have been disconnected by embankments, leading to reduced natural buffer capacity during floods.
The study recommends a long-term hydrogeomorphic perspective to understand and mitigate the river's degraded situation.
- Who
- Researchers from the University of Delhi and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal
- What
- Study on the shrinking floodplains of the Yamuna River and its increased flood vulnerability
- When
- Study published in April 2024, analyzed data up to 2024
- Where
- 50-km stretch of the Yamuna River flowing through Delhi
- Why
- To understand the impact of urbanization, barrages, and embankments on the Yamuna's natural flow and flood risk
- Study Published
- April 2024
- Journal
- Journal of the Geological Society of India
- Researchers
- University of Delhi and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal
- River Channel Narrowed
- 68%
- Formative Discharge Reduced
- 89%
- Floodplains Disconnected
- One-third
- Sediment Deposits Shrunk
- From 20 sq km in 1985 to 4 sq km in 2020
- Key Barrages
- Tajewala, Wazirabad, Okhla