One spell of rain, same old story: Delhi's waterlogging woes laid bare again

New Delhi: A spell of heavy rain last week once again exposed Delhi's chronic waterlogging problem, with flooded roads, inundated markets, disrupted transport and a fatal electrocution highlighting the capital's continued vulnerability to monsoon showers despite repeated assurances of improved drainage.

Several parts of the city witnessed severe waterlogging after intense rainfall, bringing traffic to a crawl and affecting thousands of commuters. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange Alert for Delhi-NCR, advising residents to venture outdoors only if necessary and to follow weather advisories.

Among the worst-hit areas was Connaught Place, where rainwater inundated Janpath Market and entered several shops. Iconic restaurants in the commercial hub also reported water entering their premises as roads around the area remained submerged for hours.

Delhi Metro services were also affected, with visuals from Janakpuri Metro station showing waterlogging around the station premises, creating difficulties for commuters. Elsewhere, Dr Zakir Hussain Marg witnessed extensive water accumulation, while major stretches in Punjabi Bagh, East Delhi and other parts of West Delhi remained submerged.

Sadar Bazar, India's largest wholesale market, was also inundated, disrupting business activities as traders struggled to protect goods from the rising water. In another striking image of the city's infrastructure woes, a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus was seen partially filled with rainwater after passing through heavily waterlogged roads.

The downpour also exposed deeper civic issues beyond traffic disruption. In Tikri, a 35-year-old man, identified as Kale, died after being electrocuted while collecting water from a Delhi Jal Board tanker.

According to preliminary information, an overhead electricity wire came into contact with the top of the tanker, causing it to become live. Kale suffered a fatal electric shock while filling water.

The incident sparked protests by local residents, who alleged that regular piped water supply had remained unavailable for several days and that the tanker had reached the locality only after a prolonged gap. Family members said Kale was the sole breadwinner of the household and is survived by his wife and four children.

The widespread flooding has once again raised questions over the effectiveness of Delhi's stormwater drainage system. Every monsoon, even short spells of intense rainfall leave key roads, markets and residential areas submerged, disrupting daily life and exposing commuters to safety risks.

Urban planning experts have long pointed to inadequate drainage capacity, clogged stormwater drains, unchecked construction over natural water channels and poor maintenance as recurring causes of flooding in the capital. The latest spell of rain has once again underscored the gap between pre-monsoon preparedness claims and conditions on the ground, with residents and businesses bearing the brunt of the disruption.

Tags : waterlogging, delhi, connaught place, rains, meteorological