In a tragic incident during Wednesday evening’s heavy rainfall, a woman and her son drowned in a drain in East Delhi’s Mayur Vihar Phase 3. The police reported that the woman, Tanuja, fell into an open drain while trying to save her son, Priyansh, who had slipped into it amidst the waterlogged conditions.
In response to the severe weather, Education Minister Atishi announced the closure of all schools, both government and private, on Thursday. The Delhi Airport experienced significant disruptions, with ten flights diverted—eight to Jaipur and two to Lucknow.
The torrential rain left many roads submerged, causing major traffic snarls. Commuters faced knee-deep water, and areas such as Old Rajinder Nagar, already reeling from a recent tragedy at a coaching center, were heavily flooded. Durgesh Pathak, MLA of the area, was seen wading through waist-deep water trying to address the situation.
Despite the downpour, protests continued against the deaths of three UPSC aspirants in Old Rajinder Nagar. The flooding also affected Connaught Place, where water entered parking areas and shops, leading to significant distress among traders.
Key areas across the city, including ITO, Minto Bridge, and Pul Prahladpur Railway Underpass, experienced severe waterlogging. The Public Works Department received 30 complaints related to waterlogging, predominantly from East Delhi, while the Municipal Corporation of Delhi reported four complaints.
L-G V K Saxena urged officials to remain vigilant and address waterlogging issues, especially in vulnerable locations like coaching centers. Atishi confirmed that the Delhi government and MCD are monitoring critical areas to prevent further incidents.
Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi instructed MCD officials to promptly address waterlogging problems, ensuring round-the-clock availability. The rains also impacted Gurgaon and Noida, causing significant traffic disruptions on major roads and highways.
Amid the chaos, the NDMC area, known for high tax contributions, suffered from inadequate desilting efforts, with traders expressing frustration over the recurring issues and lack of preparedness by authorities.
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