Noida's Flooded Sector 135: The Dark Side of Cheap Real Estate
Noida’s Sector 135 and nearby villages are now submerged, turning once-affordable farmhouses into flooded ruins. This disaster highlights the consequences of ignoring floodplain warnings for short-term real estate gains.
FloodplainReal EstateNoidaYamunaDisplacementReal EstateSep 17, 2025
Human toll of displacement
In Nagli Wajidpur, Junpat, and Azgarpur villages, families fled overnight as waist-deep water rushed into their homes. Many escaped with only bare essentials, while farmers watched helplessly as their year’s worth of crops drowned within hours. Iqbal, a farmer from Azgarpur, now spends his days guarding his cattle in makeshift shelters, fearing both disease and death. So far, about 2,600 people have been accommodated in 15 official relief camps, alongside 1,400 rescued cattle.
Farmhouses built on fragile land
The story is not just about rainfall and barrage discharge. Sector 135 was carved out of the Yamuna floodplain land terrain, historically meant to absorb excess water. Farmhouses and gated plots were sold at cheaper prices, marketed as “affordable escapes” near the city. Today, those same properties are submerged. Environmentalists argue that such construction was a disaster waiting to happen, and residents are paying the cost of short-term real estate gains.
Expert voice: systemic governance failures
Hrishit Panthry, Co-Founder of Envirocare Foundation, points to systemic governance lapses as a root cause: “The proliferation of farmhouses across the Yamuna floodplains reflects governance failures and short-term gain decisions. Noida Authority and GNIDA, for years, permitted or turned a blind eye to permanent structures in zones meant only for farming, despite clear prohibitions. Nearly 2,000 illegal farmhouses were recorded and demolished over time, 130 in May 2022, 32 in June 2023, and dozens more during other drives. Yet, uneven enforcement shows a preference for short-term interests over ecological imperatives.” He further explains that unchecked urbanisation turned permeable soil into concrete, crippling the floodplain’s ability to absorb water: “Luxury farmhouses with pools and banquet halls were submerged once the Yamuna hit 200.6 metres. By prioritising development over drainage and ecological buffers, we’ve overwhelmed infrastructure and worsened runoff.”
Despite the grim reality, Panthry says reclamation is still possible: “Drone surveys, demolitions, and public notices are steps in the right direction. Delhi’s efforts to restore 1,700 hectares along the Yamuna with biodiversity parks offer a roadmap. Complete restoration may not be possible, but meaningful recovery through ecological restoration and enforcement remains viable.”
Urban planner’s perspective
Dikshu Kukreja, Managing Principal of CP Kukreja Architects, Urban Planner and Honorary Consul General, Embassy of Albania to India, highlights the deeper planning disconnect: “The approval of development on the Yamuna floodplains reveals the deep disconnect between ecological science and administrative decision-making. Floodplains are dynamic ecological systems, not static parcels of land. Yet, when master plans are fragmented and enforcement is weak, regulatory warnings are either overlooked or compromised. This is not a failure of knowledge. We have always known the risks, it is a failure of institutional resolve to prioritise long-term resilience over short-term gains.” Kukreja adds that the submergence of farmhouses is symptomatic of a flawed calculus where real estate interests outweighed ecological responsibility: “True urban progress lies in recognising that natural systems are assets, not obstacles, to development.”
Relief operations and official response
Authorities, including the NDRF, SDRF, PAC, and fire services, are conducting rescues and supplying essentials. Community kitchens run by local farmers’ groups are supplementing official food and medical aid. Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M has assured that immediate needs are being addressed and steps are being taken to prevent secondary crises like waterborne diseases. On the governance front, the Authority has issued notices to 250 farmhouse owners for illegal construction on the Yamuna floodplains, warning that only agricultural use is permitted. Officials have also launched drone surveys and promised stricter enforcement to curb further encroachment. The Allahabad High Court, meanwhile, has ordered a status quo on certain demolition cases, reflecting the complex legal tussle between farmhouse owners and regulatory bodies.
The bigger picture
This is not the first time floodwaters have swallowed Noida’s edge. Each year, the Yamuna reclaims what was once its natural course. The National Green Tribunal has consistently warned against construction on floodplains, yet enforcement remains weak. Without decisive policy action and stricter regulation, experts warn that such “man-made floods” will become an annual inevitability.
The Logical Indian perspective
The Sector 135 floods are not just about water levels, but about planning failures. Noida’s experience is a stark reminder that ecological wisdom cannot be traded for cheap plots and quick profits. Beyond immediate relief, the focus must shift to accountability, transparent governance, and resilient urban planning that respects nature’s boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the flooding in Noida's Sector 135?
The flooding in Noida's Sector 135 was caused by the Yamuna River rising above its danger mark, exacerbated by the construction of farmhouses and other structures on the floodplain, which hindered the natural absorption of water.
How many people were displaced by the floods?
More than 3,500 people were displaced by the floods in Noida's Sector 135 and nearby villages.
What measures are being taken to address the immediate needs of the displaced residents?
Authorities, including the NDRF, SDRF, PAC, and fire services, are conducting rescues and supplying essentials. Community kitchens run by local farmers’ groups are also supplementing official food and medical aid.
What are the long-term solutions proposed to prevent future flooding?
Long-term solutions include stricter enforcement of regulations, drone surveys, and the restoration of floodplains with biodiversity parks. Environmentalists and urban planners emphasize the need for resilient urban planning that respects ecological boundaries.
What is the role of governance in this disaster?
The disaster highlights governance failures, including the approval of development on floodplains and weak enforcement of regulations. There is a need for transparent governance and accountability to prevent such man-made disasters.
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