Monsoon woes: Heavy rain hits city, claims 2 young lives

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 11

The Capital was battered by heavy rain for the fifth consecutive day on Sunday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting more downpours throughout the week. Residents grappled with severe waterlogging and significant traffic disruptions as the rain intensified.

On Sunday afternoon, widespread waterlogging exacerbated traffic delays across various parts of the city. The temperature hovered between a low of 26°C and a maximum of 32°C, while humidity levels peaked at 92 per cent in the morning.

IMD issues yellow alert

• Widespread waterlogging exacerbated traffic delays
• IMD issues yellow alert for the next seven days
• The temperature hovered between a low of 26°C and a maximum of 32°C

Central, South, South West and East Delhi bore the brunt of the rainfall, leading to major traffic issues. The Delhi Traffic Police reported severe disruptions on Najafgarh-Phirni Road near Dhansa Stand and Bahadurgarh Stand, with additional congestion caused by the breakdown of three cluster buses near Chhawla Stand. Motorists were advised to avoid these routes and plan their journeys accordingly.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) faced a deluge of complaints, with 12 received from 6 am to 2 pm, including seven related to waterlogging and four about fallen trees. An additional 13 complaints were registered from 2 pm to 6 pm, covering three waterlogging issues and 10 tree fall incidents. Notable traffic disruptions were reported across various Assembly constituencies, including Kirari, Mangolpuri, Kondli, Patparganj, Shahdara, Krishna Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Jungpura, Sangam Vihar, Deoli, Bijwasan, Patel Nagar and Moti Nagar.

Amidst the ongoing monsoon crisis, the weather’s impact became evident with the loss of two young lives. A 13-year-old boy died of electrocution at a cricket ground in West Delhi on Saturday. The boy was electrocuted by an iron pole carrying high-voltage wires while retrieving a ball at Kotla Vihar Phase-2 in Ranhola. He was rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. An FIR under Section 106(1) of the BNS has been registered.

BJP flays AAP over deaths

It is unfortunate for Delhi that at a time when the city is grappling with waterlogging, drowning incidents and deaths caused by electric currents, the ruling party is busy glorifying its leaders involved in jail and bail issues. — Virendra Sachdeva, Delhi BJP president

In another incident, a seven-year-old boy drowned in a waterlogged park in Sector 20, Rohini.

The police were alerted around 6.30 pm, and the child, identified as Tarun, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. Preliminary investigations revealed that the pond, formed due to recent rainfall, was located in an MCD park. The boy’s body has been preserved for a postmortem examination, and legal actions are being taken.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva expressed grief over the incidents and criticised the Delhi Government for its handling of the monsoon crisis. “It is unfortunate for Delhi that at a time when the city is grappling with waterlogging, drowning incidents, and deaths caused by electric currents, the ruling party is busy glorifying its leaders involved in jail and bail issues,” Sachdeva said.

He highlighted the city’s dire situation, noting, “Delhi had not even recovered from the shock of the deaths of two youths due to waterlogging in the Kirari Assembly constituency when today, in Aman Vihar, Rohini, a seven-year-old boy drowned in a waterlogged MCD park. This is almost the seventh such incident this monsoon season, pointing to the negligence of power companies and authorities.”

Looking ahead, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for the next seven days, forecasting light to moderate rain on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, with light rain expected on the remaining days.