As parts of Delhi grapple with flooding and residents of low-lying areas try to keep their heads above water, memories of the devastating floods that occurred in 1978 resurface for many. The Yamuna River, which caused widespread destruction back then, rises once again, triggering recollections of chaos and adversity. Sunita Sood, a 73-year-old resident, vividly remembers being separated from her family and witnessing the murky, smelly water invade homes and roads. She, among many others, experienced the hardships of that fateful September in 1978 when the resilient Yamuna menacingly advanced towards the city.
At that time, Sood was a young doctor working in Okhla. Patients struggled to reach the hospital as a sea of problems unfolded. Staff members stayed overnight inside the hospital campus, trying to cope with the flood’s impact. The situation was compounded for Sood by the fact that her husband, Prabhat Kamal Sood, was stuck in Roorkee due to the flooding, unable to return home for a prolonged period as neighboring Uttar Pradesh was also submerged. She recalls the difficulties faced by people in acquiring drinking water and food during those trying times. The water level of the Yamuna River had risen to 207.47 meters, and key areas like Adarsh Nagar, Model Town, and Mukherjee Nagar were submerged, resulting in the loss of 18 lives and rendering thousands homeless. The damage was estimated to be nearly ₹10 crore.
Arjun Jot Malhotra, who lived through the flood at the age of 24, recounts how he and his family camped on their roof for days, collecting essential supplies such as bread, flour, water, and medicines. The only thing that prevented their house from being flooded was a newly constructed embankment. Harish Chandra Soneja, now 90 years old, remembers how his shoe factory in Samaypur remained submerged for three days, forcing him and his workers to work from the roof. Gulshan Sharma, who was a college student during the floods, joined a relief mission and witnessed the desperation and helplessness of the affected residents in Model Town.
Despite the painful memories, there is hope that Delhi will not experience a similar catastrophe. Efforts have been made to construct embankments and levees to fortify the city since 1978, reducing the likelihood of widespread devastation and misery. The resilience and determination of the residents, combined with preventive measures, promise a safer future for Delhi during flood seasons.
