An hours-long surprise spell of rain flooded large parts of Delhi on Monday, with the state government’s efforts to prevent waterlogging coming up short once again this monsoon, even as the showers also pummelled neighbouring cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) and brought everyday life to a standstill.
Delhi’s base weather station at Safdarjung received 34.6mm of rain between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm, but several neighbourhoods got far more. Janakpuri was the wettest part of the city with 72.5mm, followed by Aya Nagar (69.1mm), Chhatarpur (61.5mm), Palam (58.2mm), Delhi Ridge (43.2mm) and Lodhi Road (41.7mm). The weather forced airlines to divert 15 flights. The situation came weeks after PWD minister Parvesh Verma said more than 95% of drains in the city had been desilted ahead of the monsoon. The city received 75mm of rainfall till 3 pm, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
PWD has also undertaken additional desilting and capacity-restoration works at vulnerable stretches, including locations that had not been desilted for several years due to inter-agency and access-related issues. “However, the recent intense rainfall has resulted in temporary water accumulation at some vulnerable locations, including stretches under the jurisdiction of different agencies. Such instances are being addressed on priority…
Temporary pumping arrangements are being deployed wherever required,” the official said. Verma did not respond to repeated requests for comment on Monday.
The Noida KVK Chholas station recorded 70mm of rainfall from 8.30 am on Sunday to 8.30 am on Monday and another 0.5mm of rain till 5.30 pm, according to IMD.
