Pre-monsoon showers expose Delhi’s chronic drainage woes

While Delhi heaved a sigh of relief from the blistering heat after Tuesday’s pre-monsoon showers, the rain also laid bare the city’s chronic drainage issues, with several key areas reporting severe waterlogging, traffic jams and public health concerns.

In the Delhi Development Authority’s Janta Flats area of Pitampura village, a brief spell of rain caused massive water accumulation, disrupting daily life and raising serious concerns about public health. Residents allege that drainage infrastructure in the area has been neglected for years, despite repeated complaints to elected representatives and Delhi Jal Board officials.

“What’s most worrying is that the drinking water pipeline runs directly through the main drain, which overflows during rains. This is contaminating our water supply and could lead to serious health issues,” a local resident said in a letter submitted to authorities, urging immediate reconstruction of the drain and a permanent fix for waterlogging.

Elsewhere in the city, traffic came to a standstill in multiple stretches after the rainfall led to heavy waterlogging. Delhi’s North Access Road and the Mahipalpur bypass near Terminal 1 of the Delhi Airport were among the worst affected, with commuters reporting major delays. Netizens took to X to tag the Delhi Traffic Police while flagging congestion near Shadipur Metro Station, Rana Road and the airport terminal.

Several key underpasses, including those at Delhi Cantonment, Zakhira, Pul Prahladpur and ITO, reported waterlogging that hampered vehicular movement. Najafgarh Road and Rohtak Road also saw heavy disruption due to stagnant water.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) confirmed receiving 12 complaints related to waterlogging and two related to tree falls between 2 pm and 6 pm on Tuesday.

Residents across the Capital are demanding urgent action ahead of the full-fledged monsoon season, warning that the situation could turn into a public health and civic disaster if ignored.