Yamuna Bazar Residents Weigh Abandoning Homes After Repeated Flooding

As of September 9th, 2025, residents of Yamuna Bazar, a neighborhood just four kilometers from Delhi's posh Civil Lines area, are grappling with the aftermath of repeated flood devastation. Over the past two years, their homes have been ravaged by floods on two separate occasions, leaving many to ponder abandoning their decades-old houses.

In 2023, the residents managed to salvage some of their belongings as they anticipated the floods. However, this year, they were assured by the Delhi government that the pumps would work and the city would not be flooded. Sadly, their homes were once again submerged, with many losing their possessions.

Salman, 25, and his wife Ruksar, 23, are among those affected. They now sit on a cot on the pavement, their belongings stacked in four cement sacks that serve as makeshift stairs. Ruksar laments that she barely earns ₹500 a day, and the repeated damage forces them to consider leaving their home. Just four days ago, they rented a ₹3,000 room in Shastri Park, leaving their old house behind.

Nearby, Rakhi Sahu, 44, watched helplessly as the ground floor of her brick-and-mortar home sank under water. Only a box containing ₹4,000 and her mattress survived. Rakhi is hesitant to move to Loni, as at least in Yamuna Bazar, she does not have to pay rent. However, the mounting expenses have her reconsidering her options.

As the residents grapple with the aftermath, they express their disappointment that no local leaders have visited to assess the situation or provide assistance. The streets are filled with filth and mosquitoes, yet no civic workers have come to clean up the area. The residents' frustration is palpable, as they struggle to rebuild their lives in the face of repeated natural disasters.