Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the initiation of a comprehensive flood control strategy to tackle the impending monsoon challenges in Delhi. During a recent meeting focused on flood preparedness, Gupta unveiled the ‘Flood Control Order, 2025,’ designed to coordinate response efforts across various government departments during heavy rain events. This order comes in light of the devastating floods in August-September 2023, when the Yamuna river surged to 208.6 meters, inundating residential areas and causing fatalities.
To enhance monitoring and response capabilities, Gupta disclosed that 15 new flood monitoring stations, including a central control room, will be established to keep track of the Yamuna’s water levels and identify areas prone to waterlogging. “Every year, citizens face the daunting dual challenges of floods and waterlogging,” Gupta stated, emphasizing the city’s need for improved preparedness. She criticized the former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for its lack of seriousness regarding flood management, citing failures during the 2023 floods when the ITO barrage’s gates could not be opened due to inadequate maintenance.
The Chief Minister highlighted significant improvements made in flood control measures this year. Major barrages have undergone extensive repairs, and nearly 20 lakh tonnes of silt have been removed from key drainage systems. She confirmed that 80-90% of desilting efforts, carried out by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, have been completed, with the remaining work underway. Recent unseasonal rains that led to waterlogging incidents prompted Gupta to take disciplinary action against several officials.
Gupta’s flood control plan features newly established sector committees across the city, each headed by Cabinet Ministers Pravesh Sahib Singh, Ashish Sood, and Manjinder Singh Sirsa. These committees will work with District Magistrates to facilitate localized flood management. The PWD and other relevant departments are tasked with ensuring that all permanent pump houses are operational and deploying mobile pumps to mitigate waterlogging where necessary.
The central flood control room is set to begin operations on June 15, stationed at the District Magistrate (East) office. This will serve as a 24/7 coordination hub, with representatives from all civic bodies to facilitate real-time response. In total, the 15 wireless monitoring stations will provide continuous oversight of the Yamuna and other vulnerable areas.
In a rebuttal to Gupta’s criticisms, the AAP pointed out that the maintenance of the ITO barrage falls under the jurisdiction of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Haryana government. They noted that the Chief Engineer had faced suspension in the past for neglecting maintenance duties and asserted that the AAP government had ensured proper upkeep in subsequent years, including 2024 and 2025.
As Delhi braces for the monsoon season, the government’s proactive steps aim to minimize disruption and safeguard the lives and property of its citizens amid the ongoing climate uncertainties.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-will-not-suffer-in-this-monsoon-as-it-did-in-2023-says-cm/article69684110.ece
Category : Delhi
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Publish Date: 2025-06-12 01:30:00
