Priya Aditi
Kejriwal asserted that the Delhi’s systems was “not designed to handle such unprecedented rainfall” in response to public outrage over severe flooding caused by two days of extremely heavy precipitation.
On Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal deflected responsibility as waterlogging caused by two days of torrential rains paralyzed the national capital and residents questioned the effectiveness of the city’s water drainage system.
Kejriwal asserted that the city’s infrastructure was “not designed to withstand such unprecedented rainfall”; consequently, key roads were flooded, traffic was disrupted, and homes and businesses were flooded.
“Now is not the moment to point the finger at one another. “The governments of all affected states must collaborate to provide aid to the populace,” he said.
The AAP leader’s statement was made after he presided over a high-level meeting to assess the situation after record-breaking rainfall rendered Delhi inaccessible. He reported that the city received 153 millimeters of precipitation on July 8-9.
In response to the flood warning issued after a dam in Haryana released over one million cusecs of water into the Yamuna, Kejriwal assured that a flood-like situation in Delhi was unlikely.
“According to the CWC, the Yamuna river in Delhi is streaming at 203.58 meters. Tomorrow morning, it should reach 205.5 metres, according to forecasts. Also, according to weather forecasts, the Yamuna’s water level is not anticipated to rise significantly. If the Yamuna surpasses 206 meters, then we will begin evacuating the riverbanks,” he explained.
DELHI ON THE BRINK OF FLOODS?
Sunday morning at 8.30 a.m., the Safdarjung Observatory, the primary weather station in Delhi, measured 153 millimeters of precipitation. This is the greatest daily rainfall since July 25, 1982, when 169.9 mm was recorded.
In response to the torrential rainfall, the government of Delhi issued a flood warning, announced that all schools would be closed on Monday, and canceled the Sunday leave of government employees, ordering them to be on the job.
Tuesday, according to the Central Water Commission (CWC), the water level in the River Yamuna in Delhi will surpass the hazard level of 205.33 meters.
Also read this:Yamuna Alert: River Yamuna has crossed warning level in Delhi
According to officials, the low-lying areas near the river in Delhi are susceptible to inundation and are home to approximately 37,000 people.
