In pics: Torrential monsoon rains flood Delhi, Noida

Delhi has been witnessing an uprecedented rising in Yamuna's water level over the last three days.

The water level in Yamuna rose up from 203.14 metre on Sunday to 205.4 metres on Monday going past the danger mark of 205.33 metres.

Reportedly, water level rose to 208.48 metres on Thursday morning and Central Water Commission has termed it as an ‘extreme situation’.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the closure of schools near the river and the shutting down of water treatment plants, as people waded through knee-deep waters in low-lying areas to reach safer places.

The water level at the Old Railway Bridge crossed the 208-metre mark Wednesday night and rose to 208.48 metres by 8 am on Thursday.

The Delhi government has set up 16 control rooms, including a central control room, to monitor the flood-prone areas and the water level of the Yamuna.

All the schools in Delhi will remain closed on Monday in view of the incessant rain in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced.

Delhi recorded 153 mm rain in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday, the highest in a single day in July since 1982, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Listing the reasons behind floods in low-lying areas of Delhi, experts said that encroachment of flood plains and accumulation of silt due to heavy rain in a short period of time has led to a rise in the level of the Yamuna river bed.

The official further said that the primary reason for Yamuna crossing the danger mark and flooding areas nearby is excessive rains in a short period of time.