As rain hits the capital city Delhi on Friday, the civic bodies have geared up for all precautionary measures for waterlogging and keeping field units on high alert as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts heavy rainfall till Tuesday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rains for Delhi and has issued an “orange alert” for the city until July 2. An official from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) stated that they have increased manpower to address waterlogging complaints and are using CCTV cameras to monitor areas within Lutyens’ Delhi.

The upscale Lutyens’ Delhi area experienced a flood-like situation on Friday, with water entering the residences of several MPs. NDMC Vice-Chairman Satish Upadhyay mentioned that they have deployed four additional pumps on standby at Golf Links and Bharti Nagar, areas that faced severe waterlogging. He also noted that three super suction machines mounted on vehicles are patrolling vulnerable areas, and additional staff has been deployed with all employee leaves cancelled.

North Delhi under rain clutches

Each vulnerable area is now overseen by a superintending engineer and their staff to address issues promptly. The NDMC’s central command and control room is monitoring these areas via CCTV cameras for continuous oversight.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has put its field units on high alert. A senior official stated that their central control room is operational 24/7, and the de-silting of drains has been completed. Mobile pumps, super sucker machines, earth movers, and other equipment have been deployed to areas with reported waterlogging, managed through the MCD’s dedicated 24/7 zonal control rooms.

Currently, 72 permanent pumping stations are in operation as needed, supplemented by 465 mobile/submersible pumps of various capacities. Adequate manpower is also deployed alongside machines for efficient water clearance. The official emphasized that all preparations under the monsoon action plan are in place, and field units are on high alert.

Public Works Department (PWD) officials reported that all waterlogged spots, except the Pragati Maidan Tunnel, have been drained. On Saturday, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena inspected the city’s most affected areas and drainage systems to evaluate the damage and oversee remedial measures.

Accompanied by senior officials, including the Chief Secretary cum Chairman NDMC, Commissioner MCD, and Principal Secretary PWD, Saxena visited several sites, including Taimur Nagar, Barapulla Drain, ITPO, Tilak Bridge, Kushak Nallah, Golf Links, and Bharti Nagar. He discovered that these drains were clogged with garbage and sludge, leading to severe flooding in various parts of the city.

(With PTI inputs)