Yellow alert is issued for Sunday as the city faces flood risk and increasing concerns about waterlogging

DELHI, August 11, 2024 – Delhi has been experiencing heavy rains continuously for four days, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a yellow alert for Sunday. The persistent rain has exposed the city’s problems with flooding and security issues, especially in the more vulnerable areas.

Heavy rains in Delhi, temperature drops

Delhi’s Regional Meteorological Centre at Safdarjung reported 1.3 mm of rainfall till 5:30 pm on Saturday, marking the continuation of the rainy spell. This persistent heavy rain in Delhi has led to a significant drop in temperature. The maximum temperature was recorded at 32.8°C, which is slightly below the seasonal average. The minimum temperature was 25.8°C, which was also lower than the usual for this time of the year.

The IMD weather forecast predicts persistent rain on Sunday, with temperatures expected to range between 32°C and 26°C. Despite the heavy rain, Delhi’s air quality remains satisfactory. On Saturday, an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 71 was recorded. Noida, part of the National Capital Region (NCR), reported an even better AQI of 53.

Drowning incident highlights flood danger amid heavy rain in Delhi

The incessant rain, along with chilly temperatures, has also brought tragedy. On Friday evening, two Class 11 students, both 17 years old, drowned in a flooded wasteland near the Ranikhera bus depot in Prem Nagar. The victims, Mayank and Divyansh, were reportedly playing cricket when they fell into the flooded ground.

Ranjit Kumar, Mayank’s father and a resident of Prem Nagar, told police that his son was playing with friends around 6 pm. At around 7 pm, Kumar received the devastating news that his son had drowned. By the time police arrived, local residents had already rescued Mayank and Divyansh from the water. The boys were rushed to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, but were declared dead.

Divyansh’s father, Pramod Tomar, confirmed that his son was a student at a nearby public school and was playing cricket with friends at the time of the incident.

Longstanding problem of waterlogging in Prem Nagar

The tragedy has drawn attention to a persistent problem in Prem Nagar. Local residents say the plot where the boys drowned has been under water for three years, with water levels rising significantly during the rainy season. Despite several complaints to authorities and local officials, no action has been taken to resolve the problem.

“We have been talking about this issue for years,” said one resident who asked not to be identified. “It’s heartbreaking that it took the loss of two young lives for people to take notice.”

This incident highlights the urgent need for better urban planning and drainage systems in Delhi, especially in areas prone to flooding. It also raises questions about the responsibility of local authorities in tackling such long-standing hazards.

Authorities respond to drowning incident amid heavy rain in Delhi

In light of the tragic event, police have launched an investigation into possible negligence. The incident has sparked calls for immediate action to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“We are taking this incident very seriously,” said a senior police officer. “We will investigate the matter thoroughly and urge the public to stay away from flooded areas during this period of heavy rain.”

As Delhi continues to battle heavy rains, residents are advised to remain vigilant and avoid flooded areas. The yellow alert issued for Sunday is to remind citizens to take necessary precautions and to urge authorities to remain on high alert for any weather-related emergency.

While the persistent rains offer a respite from the summer heat, they highlight the challenges Delhi faces in managing urban flooding and ensuring public safety during the monsoon season. As the city moves forward, it is becoming clear that more robust infrastructure and faster responses to community concerns will be critical to preventing future tragedies.

Urban planning experts say long-term solutions are needed. “Delhi needs a comprehensive drainage master plan,” says Dr. Ravi Kumar, an urban planning specialist. “We need to think of sustainable drainage systems for the cities that can cope with the increasingly intense rainfall.”

As the monsoon progresses, all eyes will be on Delhi authorities to see how they address these pressing issues of urban flooding and public safety. The coming days will be crucial to determine how resilient the city is to sustained heavy rains.

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