Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena Holds Emergency Meeting on Monsoon Flooding

New Delhi [India] June 28: The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, VK Saxena, convened an emergency meeting with the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Public Works Department (PWD), Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFC), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and National Disaster Management Control (NDMC) to address the waterlogging and flooding situation caused by heavy pre-monsoon rains.

On his official X handle, Saxena stated, “Reviewed the water logging/flooding situation in Delhi due to heavy pre-monsoon rains, with concerned HoDs at 11:00 am. PWD, IFC and DJB under Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), MCD and NDMC were directed to ensure immediate steps for easing the situation and strictly implement measures to mitigate recurrence.”

He also expressed shock over the delay in desilting drains, which should have been completed by June 15. “It is shocking that the Flood Control Order and desilting of drains that should have been issued and completed by June 15, 2024 are yet pending. The Flood Control Order, normally issued after the Apex Committee meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, is pending,” Saxena added.

The meeting aimed to review the city’s situation due to waterlogging, overflow of un-silted drains, and backflow of clogged sewer lines. Earlier today, people waded through waterlogged streets in several parts of the city, and BJP councillor Ravinder Singh Negi was seen rowing an inflatable boat on the NH9 road as a symbolic protest against the AAP.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the Safdarjung observatory recorded 228mm of rainfall, marking the second-highest 24-hour rainfall in June. The highest was 235.55 mm on June 28, 1936.