NDMC Apologises for Waterlogging Across Lutyens' Delhi After Heavy Downpour
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday tendered an apology to residents for widespread waterlogging in the capital following heavy rainfall over the preceding two days. The civic body acknowledged delays in clearing flooded stretches and pledged to upgrade its drainage infrastructure to avoid similar disruptions in the future.
NDMC Chairman Manoj Kumar Dwivedi addressed the situation, noting that more than 72 mm of rainfall was recorded in less than two hours on Tuesday. He characterised the intensity of the downpour as unexpected, which strained the civic body's normal response capacity.
According to Dwivedi, NDMC teams typically clear accumulated rainwater within 15 to 20 minutes. However, during Tuesday's intense spell, water took more than an hour to fully drain out in at least three to four locations despite operational efforts.
Dwivedi stated that the heavy volume of rain could not serve as an excuse for the inconvenience experienced by the public. He emphasised that the municipal body must strengthen its drainage networks and operational systems to manage similar weather events going forward.
To help improve future civic responses, the chairman invited suggestions and feedback directly from local residents regarding drainage management.
Over the two-day period of rain, NDMC officials received dozens of complaints across the Lutyens' area. These grievances pertained to severe waterlogging on roads, uprooted trees, and localized power outages resulting from the storm.
