While the rain in Delhi-NCR brought relief on one hand, it has increased the tensions for VIPs as the streets and homes were waterlogged. In the upmarket Lutyens' Delhi, the bungalows of MPs and ministers are submerged. Many places experienced a blackout throughout the night, forcing people to spend the night in the dark. In the morning, leaders heading to the Parliament session were seen grappling with the situation. From Delhi Water Minister Atishi to SP MP Ram Gopal Yadav, former Protem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab, Congress MP Tariq Anwar, and NITI Aayog member Vinod Kumar Paul - waterlogging was observed at their residences.
Lutyens' Delhi is considered a VVIP area. The post-rain inundation of homes has exposed NDMC's lack of preparedness for monsoon. Although NDMC is responsible for the maintenance of this area and usually works to tackle waterlogging before the rains, the situation at VVIP homes indicates the plight that common households must be enduring given the poor drainage system in many of Delhi's locales.
Following the heavy rainfall in the nation's capital, the Delhi government has gone into alert mode as many areas have become impassable due to waterlogging. An emergency meeting has been called by the Delhi government at 2 pm on Friday. All cabinet ministers and top officials will attend the meeting at the Secretariat. The partial collapse of the roof at Delhi Airport's Terminal-1 has led to one casualty and six injuries. Safdarjung weather station has recorded 153.7 mm of rain, which started around 3 am and lasted for 6 hours. Delhites have shared videos and pictures of submerged vehicles and long traffic jams on the waterlogged roads on social media.
BJP MP Says, 'Power Cut-off from 11 PM, Restored at 9 AM'
BJP MP from Odisha, Bhartruhari Mahtab stated, 'Water surrounded my house on all sides. When we tried to remove it, the motor broke down too. These conditions are not just in my bungalow but are widespread in the neighboring ones as well. Water seeped into my house and office. There must be a system to drain this water. It doesn't matter which government is in power. Rain is needed in Delhi and across the country, but solutions for rainwater are also essential. My house experienced a power outage the entire night. The electricity was gone from Thursday 11 pm to Friday 9 am.'
- In Lutyens' Lodhi Estate area, the house of SP's Rajya Sabha MP Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav was also flooded. NDMC workers are draining the water using pumps. Yadav had earlier blamed NDMC for the lack of drainage during the morning. This locality is home to several central ministers and MPs.
When SP MP Ram Gopal Yadav was leaving his house to go to the Parliament, his staff members helped and lifted him into his car. Yadav commented, 'NDMC was ill-prepared. Even though the rain arrived late, they did not clean the drains. If the drains had been cleared, this situation would have never arisen. Important personalities like members of the NITI Aayog, ministers, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, and the Naval Admiral General reside in the Lodhi Estate area, but waterlogging makes commuting difficult. As you can see, I had to be picked up to go to the Parliament. I have been talking to NDMC officials since 4 am; water has entered our residences.'
- Similarly, the home of Dr. VK Paul, a member of the NITI Aayog, is also waterlogged. Though the water is receding slowly, the entrance gate is still submerged. There isn't a proper drainage system in place. Staff members report that the water is drying up, but no effective water drainage measures are visible.
- Former Commerce Minister Som Parkash's house is flooded as well. Congress MP Tariq Anwar was seen getting soaked as he stepped out, wading through the dirty water to get to his car.
- Delhi Water Minister Atishi's government residence, in front of Pragati Maidan on Mathura Road, is also submerged. Water has filled everywhere from outside to inside the residence. The situation shows the widespread issue of waterlogging in Delhi, with workers seen clearing sludge from drains. Mathura Road is spotted with water at several places.
- There's also waterlogging at the National Media Center, causing a slow vehicle movement. The heavy rains have caused water to pool up, making travel difficult. This is part of Lutyens' Delhi, which is under the care of NDMC.
- Delhi Mayor and AAP leader Shailey Oberoi said, 'We are on Mathura Road in Jungpura. There's waterlogging on the main road. I have spoken to the officers, the Additional Commissioner, and the DC. The team will reach here soon.'
Lodhi Estate Area Submerged
After continuous heavy rain, the Lodhi Estate area has seen severe waterlogging. The entire region is underwater, making vehicle movement impossible.
Delhi's streets around AIIMS are flooded. Waterlogging is visible everywhere, including Raisina Road and Firoz Shah Road. Due to the severe waterlogging in the Azad Market underpass, a bus was stuck, and passengers were safely evacuated.
Three Workers Fall Into a Pit
In the Vasant Vihar area, three laborers fell into a pit near a construction site. Subsequently, NDRF, the Fire Brigade, and police officers conducted a rescue operation. The laborers were living in temporary shanties near the site and fell into the pit when their shanties collapsed due to the heavy rainfall. Inspector Kunal from the 16th Battalion of NDRF said, 'We received information that a building under construction had collapsed. Its basement flooded, and people were feared trapped. Our rescue operation is underway.'
