Second-highest single-day May rain a warning: Parvesh
In a determined push to avert monsoon-induced chaos in the Capital, Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma on Saturday reviewed critical drainage and flood-prevention works in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area, assuring residents that all key interventions will be completed by May 30.
“The city will not drown this time. We welcome the monsoon, not fear it. Every department is on alert, and no neighborhood will be left behind,” Verma said.
His inspection follows the city’s second-highest single-day May rainfall since 1901, which triggered waterlogging in several pockets and rang alarm bells ahead of the monsoon.
Visiting the Golf Links locality, one of the worst-hit areas during last year’s monsoon, Verma, accompanied by BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, assessed the progress of sewer line upgrades, stormwater drains and construction of sump wells.
“We’re here because this area suffered major waterlogging last year. This time, we’re acting well in advance,” Verma said, adding that the NDMC had issued work orders and the pace was strong.
“We’re fully confident that all monsoon preparedness works across the city will be finished before May 30,” Verma underlined.
The minister outlined specific steps already underway in Golf Links, including the installation of pumps to divert rainwater and construction of three sump wells. A super sucker machine has been deployed for the past 10 days to carry out desilting daily.
“We’re not taking chances. Teams are on site every day. The intensity of Friday’s rainfall was a clear warning and we’re treating it as such. Officers are on the ground, not in offices,” he said.
Friday’s deluge, 78 mm of rainfall by 8:30 am, according to the IMD, marked the second-highest single-day May rain in Delhi’s history, exceeded only by 119.3 mm on May 20, 2021. It offered a stark preview of the challenges the city could face if the drainage systems are not fully operational.
Beyond Golf Links, the minister said a citywide desilting campaign was underway to ensure stormwater drains are cleaned in time. He said the Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and the NDMC are working in tandem under close ministerial and departmental supervision. “Every drain will be cleaned by May 30,” Verma stated.
He also visited BK Dutt Colony, where he reviewed issues related to roads, pipelines and tree pruning in coordination with local RWAs, promising that inter-agency collaboration will resolve civic concerns holistically.
Delhi