This COSMO-SkyMed image shows the Yamuna River, acquired on 11 October 2018. Seen here, the Yamuna River is a large, winding waterway that stretches across the landscape of northern India. It originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Himalayas and flows southward, passing through major cities such as Delhi, Agra, and Mathura before merging with the Ganges River.

Like the Ganges, the Yamuna is considered sacred and is worshiped as a goddess in Hindu mythology. The waters of the Yamuna were once a vibrant blue, but today, it is regarded as one of the most severely polluted rivers in the world. River restoration projects, led by the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD), have been ongoing since 1993 to reduce pollution levels. Approximately 57 million people depend on the Yamuna for water, as it supplies more than 70% of Delhi’s total water needs.