Tragedy Strikes Delhi-NCR: Government Faces Backlash Over Flood Response
Severe waterlogging leads to tragic deaths, flight disruptions, and political backlash in Delhi-NCR as heavy rainfall exposes critical infrastructure vulnerabilities.
Government Scrutiny and Infrastructure Failures Under Spotlight Amid Deadly Floods in Delhi-NCR
New Delhi, August 1, 2024 – In a devastating turn of events, at least 10 people lost their lives in India’s national capital region following relentless heavy rainfall that resulted in severe waterlogging and forced the closure of schools and offices. The Meteorological Department had issued an alert after Delhi recorded over 100mm of rain in just one hour yesterday. In response, the government swiftly announced the closure of schools to ensure the safety of students.
Residents were strongly advised to remain indoors as extensive waterlogging caused significant traffic disruptions across the city. The tragic impact of the deluge was felt acutely in East Delhi’s Mayur Vihar, where a woman and her son drowned after falling into an open drain obscured by the floodwaters. The victims, identified as Tanuja and her son Priyansh, faced the fatal accident when the boy slipped into the drain, and his mother fell while attempting to save him.
The calamity extended beyond Delhi. In the neighbouring satellite town of Gurugram, three individuals were electrocuted by a live wire submerged in the flooded area. Greater Noida witnessed the collapse of a wall, claiming two more lives. Furthermore, a 12-year-old boy tragically died from electrocution while returning home from tuition.
The national capital region, encompassing Delhi and several districts from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, saw flight operations severely disrupted. CNN-IBN reported the diversion of at least 10 flights heading to the national capital due to the adverse weather conditions. Visuals from ANI news agency depicted severe flooding in the northern part of Delhi, where three students had previously drowned in a flooded basement the previous week.
Aaj Tak anchor Sudhir Chaudhary questions why engineers and companies build weak infrastructure, unaware of India’s frequent rainfall. Who is responsible?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) found itself under fire as opposition parliamentarians voiced concerns about a leaking roof in the newly inaugurated parliament building. The building, part of the government’s ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project, was inaugurated by Mr. Modi on May 28 last year. Congress parliamentarian Manickam Tagore has since submitted an adjournment motion in the ongoing parliamentary session, calling for the formation of a special committee to inspect the causes of the leaks, evaluate the design and materials, and recommend necessary repairs.
The calamity was not limited to the national capital region. Northern India, including the Himalayas, witnessed a similar deluge. At least 11 people died, and over 250 were reported missing after heavy rain lashed the region, stranding many on a famous pilgrimage route.
The recent tragedies have raised critical questions about the government’s preparedness and infrastructure to handle such natural disasters. As the region grapples with the aftermath, the focus now shifts to the necessary measures required to prevent such occurrences in the future and ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.
