Delhi Faces Severe Waterlogging with Over 300 Complaints Amid Heavy Rains

Heavy rainfall in Delhi on Friday led to over 300 complaints about waterlogging, according to civic agencies and police. The Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) received more than 200 calls regarding waterlogging issues. An official noted that many areas fall under other departments' jurisdiction. The PWD also got two to three complaints about fallen trees.

Monsoon arrived in Delhi on Friday, bringing the highest single-day rainfall in June in 88 years. This caused severe flooding, traffic chaos, and flight disruptions at Terminal-1 of Delhi airports due to a canopy collapse. Key tunnels like Pragati Maidan were closed, and reports of flooded homes came from across the city, including upscale Lutyens Delhi.

Waterlogging Complaints Across Various Areas

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) reported 33 waterlogging complaints from areas such as Rajinder Nagar, Sabzi Mandi Old, Rajouri Garden Extension, Khanpur, Hauz Khas, Pitampura, and Malviya Nagar. Additionally, the civic department received 11 calls about fallen trees from Trilokpuri, Patparganj, Vasant Vihar, and Nand Nagri.

Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar visited the NDMC command and control centre to assess the situation and issued directions. He planned to hold a meeting in the evening to discuss the ongoing issues. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) command and control room received 90 waterlogging calls and 15 about fallen trees. Complaints came from Sarojini Nagar underpass (Africa Avenue Road), Laxmibai Nagar, Tughlak Road, Golf Links, Bharti Nagar, Kidwai Nagar, Mandir Marg, Connaught Place E Block, and Gole Market.

Efforts by Various Departments

Delhi PWD Minister Atishi stated that South Delhi experienced the most rainfall. She mentioned that many colonies faced waterlogging due to heavy rain breaching a wall of the Barapullah drain. "MCD, Irrigation and Flood Control department are working together," she said. "It is not about one department versus another at this time. All departments are deploying their manpower and resources."

The NDMC officials said most complaints were resolved within half an hour but took two to three hours at Sarojini Nagar underpass. The areas where it took two to three hours to resolve waterlogging complaints included Seelampur, Krishna Nagar, and Badli. It took four to five hours in areas like Moolchand underpass, Zakhira, Dhaula Kuan, and Adchini. Waterlogging at Minto Road took nearly 12 hours to clear.

Impact on Metro Services

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) services operated without major disruptions despite heavy rainfall. However, rainwater entered some Metro stations like Kashmere Gate, Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector-25, and Jangpura due to water accumulation outside entry gates. "DMRC immediately deployed teams to clear the rainwater," said Anuj Dayal, Principal Executive Director of Corporate Communications at DMRC.

Delhi Police received 71 waterlogging complaints, 18 related to fallen trees, and 30 traffic issues. Due to Barapullah drain overflow, there were waterlogging problems at Jangpura A, Mathura Road, and Sunlight Colony. Temporary motors were deployed in these areas.

The last 24 hours saw 20-30% of the entire monsoon's rainfall recorded in Delhi. This led to overflowing drains affecting areas like ITO and Minto Bridge. When rains stopped, water levels in drains receded.

Bungalows of several MPs including Congress's Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari were flooded. The New Delhi Municipal Council received numerous complaints about waterlogging from various parts of the city.

Despite the challenges posed by heavy rains and subsequent flooding across Delhi on Friday, efforts by multiple departments helped mitigate some of the impacts on residents and infrastructure.