In response to heavy rainfall causing severe waterlogging across Delhi, the city government convened an emergency meeting at the Delhi Secretariat on Friday. Led by several senior officials and chaired by four ministers, the meeting addressed the pressing issue of waterlogging exacerbated by the recent downpour.
At a subsequent press conference, Delhi Minister Atishi emphasised the gravity of the situation, highlighting that excessive rainfall, surpassing the drainage capacity, led to waterlogging at over 200 identified hotspots in the city.
She underscored that 40 of these locations are under constant CCTV surveillance by the Public Works Department (PWD), reflecting proactive measures to manage the crisis.
"We have identified approximately 200 areas prone to waterlogging due to the recent heavy rainfall. The current volume of rain, such as the 228 mm recorded recently, exceeds the drainage capacity, causing prolonged water accumulation," Atishi explained, addressing concerns about the city's preparedness for such weather events.
Echoing her sentiments, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj outlined the decisions taken during the emergency meeting to mitigate waterlogging risks. He stressed the collaboration between Traffic Police and local authorities to identify vulnerable areas and streamline inter-departmental responses. Bharadwaj also referenced historical data, noting that the city hadn't witnessed such intense rainfall in June since 1936.
Simultaneously, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena convened a meeting of key agencies including the Delhi Jal Board, PWD, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Delhi Police, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, National Disaster Management Control, and Delhi Development Authority. This assembly aimed to assess the current water logging situation and strategize emergency responses amidst the ongoing pre-monsoon showers.
During the meeting, concerns were raised about incomplete desilting operations and delayed issuance of Flood Control Orders, underscoring gaps in the city's preparedness for monsoon emergencies.
In response, Saxena issued 11 directives for immediate action, including the establishment of a 24x7 emergency control room and deployment of mobile pumps to alleviate waterlogging.
Earlier in the day, scenes of waterlogged streets and symbolic protests underscored the public's frustration with the situation. BJP councillor Ravinder Singh Negi's act of rowing an inflatable boat on NH9 highlighted the civic discontent, aimed at drawing attention to governance issues amid such crises.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the Safdarjung observatory recorded 228 mm of rainfall by 8:30 am on Friday, marking it as the second-highest 24-hour rainfall in June since 1936, just shy of the record set on June 28, 1936, of 235.55 mm.
The ongoing efforts by the Delhi government and relevant agencies reflect a concerted response to mitigate the immediate impacts of heavy rainfall and address systemic challenges in urban flood management.
As the monsoon season progresses, continuous vigilance and adaptive strategies remain crucial to safeguarding Delhiites from the effects of extreme weather events.
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