Govt to revive water bodies to avoid flooding in monsoon

The Delhi government will revive 200 water bodies ahead of the monsoon so that the roads do not get marooned and the excess rainwater could be directed towards ponds and lakes.

It is learnt that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had suggested this to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in a meeting.

“The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the country will receive excess rainfall this monsoon. Where will the water go? Chennai and other cities have revived water bodies to avoid urban flooding during monsoon. While the work to revive water bodies is underway, it needs to be taken up on a priority basis,” an official from the NDMA said.

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has 811 water bodies under its ownership. Of these, 227 are encroached. In February this year, the DDA informed National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it has developed 174 water bodies and found 427 feasible for restoration.

The NGT had earlier issued notices to the DDA, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Forest Department and Department of Rural Development and Panchayat to submit responses giving timelines for restoration, rejuvenation and remediation of water bodies in their areas.

The government will also release a heat action plan to combat heat waves. Delhi will witness heatwave conditions till June. An official said the Delhi government was coordinating with the NDMA to design a heat action plan.

“Experts have been roped in to create ward-level plans for better implementation of heat action plans. We have issued advisories to various government departments, including the Health Department, to stay put ahead of severe heat wave conditions in the national capital,” an official said.

On April 7, Delhi recorded its first heatwave of the season, with the maximum temperature touching 40.2 degrees Celsius.