The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted overcast conditions and heavy rain in Delhi on July 1 and 2 (Monday and Tuesday), PTI reported. The Met department has also predicted heavy rainfall at isolated places in Delhi and adjoining states until July 4.
Civic agencies are on high alert in anticipation of the heavy rains, deploying additional manpower and machinery to address waterlogging and other complaints. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has put its field units on high alert, with a senior official confirming their central control room is functioning 24/7. The official also stated that de-silting of drains has been completed. To address waterlogging concerns, the MCD has deployed mobile pumps, super sucker machines, earth movers, and other machinery at various locations. In addition to these, 72 permanent pumping stations are operational, alongside 465 mobile/submersible pumps of varying capacities.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has also deployed additional manpower to handle waterlogging complaints and is monitoring areas under Lutyens’ Delhi through CCTV cameras. NDMC Vice-Chairman Satish Upadhyay announced that four additional pumps have been placed on standby at Golf Links and Bharti Nagar. Three super suction machines mounted on vehicles will patrol vulnerable areas, and all employees have been called back to duty, with no days off allowed. Superintending engineers have been assigned to oversee operations at vulnerable points to ensure timely interventions.
Public Works Department (PWD) officials have confirmed that all waterlogged spots, except for the Pragati Maidan Tunnel, have been drained.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of those who drowned on June 28, as communicated to the revenue department on June 30.
Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 37.1 degrees Celsius on June 30, following 228.1 mm of rainfall that claimed several lives. This was the highest June temperature since 1936. The IMD recorded 9 mm of rain on June 30.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital was recorded as “moderate” at 6 pm with a reading of 118, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”. (With inputs from PTI)
