Heavy Rainfall Floods Delhi Police's Narcotics Office In South Delhi, Video Surfaces

Torrential rainfall in Delhi caused widespread waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and damage to infrastructure, including Delhi Airport's Terminal-1.

Heavy rains lashed the national capital in the early morning of Friday, resulting in widespread waterlogging, severe traffic jams, and entering the water in the government offices. On one side, this record-breaking rainfall has brought respite from scorching heat but on another side, it has had a significant impact on the daily lives of people in the Delhi-NCR.

In a video shared by news agency ANI on X, it is seen that due to heavy and incessant rainfall, water entered Delhi Police's Narcotics office in South Delhi. In the video, a man was found scooping out water using a small bucket from the waterlogged room.

Some documents appeared to be floating and a few were partially submerged in the water at the Narcotics office.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), in the early hours of Friday, Delhi NCR received heavy rainfall ranging from 64 to 124 mm in several areas, with isolated instances of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 204.4 mm. This rainfall was accompanied by moderate to severe thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds.

Along with creating traffic jams and causing the destruction of infrastructures, a portion of the roof of the Delhi airport's Terminal-1 was also found collapsed. 

As per the report of IANS, the Hanuman Temple Intersection leading to Mandi House was also submerged under three feet of water, leading to road closures and disruptions on Ashoka Road, Feroz Shah Road, and Connaught Place. Similar conditions were reported in Moolchand and other areas of Delhi.

Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena Chairs Emergency Meeting

To look into the stock of the situation, Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena directed officials to set up an emergency control room and deploy static pumps to address waterlogging reports. Chairing an emergency meeting, the LG directed that all those senior officers who are on leave, should immediately return to duty and no leave should be granted for the next two months, PTI cited officials as informing.

Saxena also highlighted the lack of preparedness and an inadequate emergency response system in the national capital.

Senior officials from civic agencies, including the Delhi Jal Board, Public Works Department, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Development Authority, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, and the Delhi Police, attended the meeting.

Saxena pointed out that the de-silting of drains was incomplete and the Flood Control Order had not yet been issued. He instructed the officials to urgently complete the de-silting work within the next week, as stated by the LG's office.

The LG directed officials to set up an emergency control room for waterlogging complaints. The control room would be manned 24X7 by senior officials, officials said.