At least 3 people died in New Delhi due to the overnight deluge on Sunday, 19 July, IANS reported.
The body of a 60-year-old man was retrieved by a trackman working at New Delhi railway station yard, who had to swim to reach it under the Minto Bridge. The man reportedly drowned after the vehicle he was travelling in had gotten stuck on the flooded road. Two more deaths were reported from Chhat Ghat and Sriniwaspuri.
Taking to Twitter, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said that it was not the time for a blame game, and agencies have to come together to solve the crisis.
“This all, all agencies, whether with the Delhi government or MCD, were busy with managing the coronavirus crisis. Because of this, they have faced a lot of difficulties, We have to work together and not play a blame game. We will try to clear up all areas that are reporting waterlogging as soon as possible."
Apart from ITO, parts of south and central Delhi were also flooded. Lodhi Road, Defence Colony, Safdurjung, Jor Bagh, Ashram, and Modi Mill area saw knee deep water while Barakhamba Rao in central Delhi saw massive waterlogging.
Atleast 10 houses were carried away by fast-moving rain water in the Anna Nagar slum in Delhi, but there were reportedly no injuries.
ANI reported that 3 people had been rescued in the ITO area, 6 people from Jakhira flyover and one person from Lawrence Road following water-logging calls to the Delhi Fire Service.
The Indian Meteorological Department reportedly said that Delhi's Safdarjung, Lodhi Road and Ridge area received particularly heavy rainfall with 74.8 mm, 81.2 mm and 86 mm rainfall respectively.
Kejriwal said waterlogged areas across the city were in the process of being cleared.
“Road under Minto Bridge has been cleared of waterlogging. I was in contact with agencies since morning and was monitoring the process of removing water. We're keeping an eye on more such places in Delhi. Wherever there is waterlogging, it is being pumped out immediately,” he said.
Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said that all agencies were working together. “All agencies- PWD, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Municipal Corporation and Flood Department are working accordingly. Some part of our management was busy with COVID-19 but we are doing the needful. CM Arvind Kejriwal is monitoring the situation personally,” he said.
AAP’s Sanjay Singh said: “There are many agencies like MCD, PWD& Jal Board to deal with waterlogging, making it difficult to ascertain who is responsible for waterlogging at a particular place.”
Heavy rains had been predicted for New Delhi this weekend even as authorities issued advisories about vehicular movement amid flooding.
Gambhir Takes on AAP
In a tweet mocking the AAP government, BJP MLA Gautam Gambhir posted pictures of flooded roads, and questioned the government on its rainwater harvesting plans.
“Apparently the Delhi government is planning to conduct rainwater harvesting on its London-Paris quality roads. Dear Mr CM, when we will get to see its advertisements?” he wrote in Hindi.
(With inputs from ANI and IANS)
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