“Why is Delhi waterlogged every time it rains”?, HC asks authorities

NEW DELHI: The bench of Acting Chief Justice Geeta Mittal and Judge C. Hari Shankar of Delhi High Court said that it is ‘shocking’ that this is happening year after year. During the recent rains in Delhi, the bench was referring to the news of traffic of Delhi due to the problem of water logging on the roads.

The bench said, “It is a matter of shocking every year. Why is this happening year after year? The administration is not solving this problem at a large level, and every time it gives knee-jerk reactions to it.”

The court said that waterlogging can be the reason for spreading diseases. The bench said, “The control of authorities on the monsoon is inaccessible, but the problem of waterfalls is certainly under their control.”

The court said it was “incomprehensible” why no action plan has been drawn up till date and no steps taken to address this “recurring problem which completely throws the life of people in Delhi into disarray”.

While pulling up the authorities, the High Court made a reference to the incident of a bus getting stuck on the water-logged road under Minto Bridge near Connaught Place in the capital.

The High Court directed Delhi Chief Secretary to convene a meeting with the senior officials of the government, PWD, Center, the three MCD and Delhi Jal Board on this issue and decide what steps have been taken so far to stop the waterfalls. The Delhi Jal Board has been told separately to give complete details regarding the drains and file a report in 10 days. The next hearing in the case will be on July 26.

Heavy rain in many areas of Delhi                                   

Due to heavy rains in many areas of the national capital today, water logging was on the roads and traffic was blocked on various chowk – intersections. Safdarjung Observatory recorded 32 mm rainfall between 8:30 in the morning and 5:30 in the morning. The recordings of Safdarjung Observatory are considered official for the city. During the same period, 25.2 mm, 30.8 mm, 38.6 mm, 1.7 mm rainfall was recorded in the areas covered under Palam, and Lodhi Road.

The official said that the maximum temperature was recorded at 34.1 degree Celsius while the minimum temperature remained at 28.8 degree Celsius. The humidity level in the air is between 79 and 100 per cent. The Meteorological Department has forecast cloudy weather and light rain tomorrow. The Met department said, “The maximum and minimum temperature is likely to be around 33 degree Celsius and 26 degree Celsius respectively. Yesterday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 37.8 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature remained at 28.6 degrees Celsius.