As rains intensify, flood-control measures fall short in Delhi

Anshita Mehra

New Delhi, July 17

The Capital recorded a staggering 243.4 mm of rainfall since June 1, far exceeding the normal 74.1 mm for this period. Several areas experienced waterlogging and fatalities due to the heavy rain, causing significant inconvenience to residents. Despite this, flood-control efforts seem to lag, raising concerns about potential flooding this season.

‘No lessons learnt’

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Although I have been living in Delhi since my birth, the floods last year were the worst I have ever seen. Travelling became almost impossible. This year, we again saw severe waterlogging in June, which means no lessons have been learnt. — Aaliya, a Delhi University student.

‘Streets turn into rivers’

Flooding recurs every year. As soon as it rains, drains clog and the streets turn into rivers. Now, it doesn’t even take heavy rainfall, just 15 minutes of rain can disrupt lives. This is the national capital. — Anjali, a Delhi resident

With the horrific memories of the 2023 floods still fresh, the Delhi Government appears to be slow in implementing proactive flood-control measures. Residents report that they are yet to see effective strategies for timely management or aggressive flood control, even as the monsoon season has begun.

Aaliya, a Delhi University student, recalls the chaos of last year’s floods. “Although I have been living in Delhi since my birth, the floods last year were the worst I have ever seen. Travelling became almost impossible. This year, we again saw severe waterlogging in June, which means no lessons have been learnt,” she said.

Ankita Sharma, a resident of Vasant Vihar, shared the same scepticism. “I’ve seen people occasionally come to clean drains, but they often leave the slush unattended nearby. This results in waste going back into the drains after rain, causing waterlogging,” she says, noting that this is a common sight.

Despite claims of the AAP-led Delhi Government about taking action — such as implementing strategies for 20 flood-prone areas and desilting 92 per cent of drains by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) — the reality on the ground is different.

In areas like Moti Nagar in West Delhi, several residents spoke to The Tribune about the state government’s absence. Anjali, a resident, said, “Flooding recurs every year. As soon as it rains, drains clog, and the streets turn into rivers. Now, it doesn’t even take heavy rainfall; just 15 minutes of rain can disrupt lives. This is the national capital, and I have no hope that the government will take action to prevent a repeat of last year’s situation.”

Attempts to reach Anil Kumar, Chief Engineer of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department in Delhi, to enquire about the state government’s flood-control measures after last year’s crisis went unanswered.

In response to the severe rainstorm on June 28, which recorded the highest single-day rainfall since 1936 and resulted in 11 deaths, Delhi ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Atishi inaugurated a 24/7 flood-control centre. The Delhi Government also launched a WhatsApp chatbot (8130188222) and a helpline (1800110093) specifically for reporting waterlogging issues.

A phone call made by The Tribune correspondent to the 24/7 flood-control helpline revealed that it receives an average of 250 calls daily regarding waterlogging, flooding and sewer drainage complaints. After the mess of 2023, the Delhi Government has made this helpline the central control centre for all types of waterlogging and drainage complaints.

Previously, it was limited to Public Works Department (PWD) issues, but now PWD, MCD, NDMC and flood control departments are collaborating to address these concerns.

However, many residents feel these measures are too little, too late. Vedant, a shop owner in Chawri Bazar, said, “Sewage in this area overflows even without rain. When it rains, the streets flood quickly. Despite numerous complaints to the MCD, no action has been taken. Instead, the authorities blame each other for responsibility.”

Swarnim, a student from Miranda House College, faces daily challenges while commuting. “As someone with no vehicle, the rains become a significant challenge. The government could do much better to implement effective waterlogging control measures ahead of the monsoon rather than waiting for the rains to respond,” she said.

Last year, the Yamuna surged to a peak of 208.66 m on July 17, displacing thousands and causing extensive damage to infrastructure. The IMD’s weekly forecast for Delhi indicates “scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning very likely over Delhi during the next five days”.

11 deaths in two days

• Cab driver (45) died near the Delhi airport after a canopy fell over his parked car on June 28
• 3 construction labourers died at an under-construction site in Vasant Vihar on June 28
• A 40-year-old man died due to electrocution in Rohini’s Prem Nagar on June 28
• A man, in his late 20s, drowned in a flooded underpass in Shalimar Bagh area on June 28.
• Two boys drowned in a waterlogged underpass in Badli on June 29
• In Okhla, a 60-year-old man died after he got stuck with his scooter in a waterlogged underpass on June 29
• In outer north Delhi’s Samaypur Badli, two boys drowned in a waterlogged section of an underpass on June 29