- Thick layer of toxic white foam has formed on the surface of Yamuna
- The formation of froth has intensified in recent days
- Its appearance has raised questions on the arrangements
Yamuna Pollution: Ahead of the major festivals, a thick layer of toxic white foam has formed on the surface of Yamuna near Kalindi Kunj in Delhi, leading to concerns among the residents and authorities. The formation of froth has intensified in recent days primarily due to a significant fall in temperature and churning of water intensity. While the efforts to clear the toxic material have continued, its appearance has raised questions on the arrangements.
How Foam Is Formed?
As per the scientists, the thick layer of foam is a sign of the presence of dangerous pollutants in the water. When water falls from a great height near the Okhla barrage, it leads to the formation of certain soap-like molecules and churning of the polluted river.
#WATCH | Delhi: Toxic foam seen floating on the surface of the Yamuna River in Kalindi Kunj this morning https://t.co/cbT6IOp3mM
— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2026
On top of that, the lowered temperature during winters makes such bubbles more stable and tough to remove. Earlier in 2025, a study also revealed that Delhi's poor sewage treatment plants (STPs) and common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) are also responsible for the situation.
"From the rampant use of surfactants to industrial waste, the problem has only become more aggravated over the last decade," Bhim Singh Rawat, a Yamuna activist and member of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
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DJB In Action
Ahead of Chhath Puja, a prominent festival where rituals are performed along the riverside, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is soon likely to spray chemical defoaming agents to manage the crisis. While the chemical removes foam from certain areas due to its composition, it is not believed to be sustainable and effective.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the BJP of inaction with just a few weeks remaining in the major festivals. However, the ruling BJP and concerned authorities have assured that concrete steps are being taken to deal with the situation.