New Delhi, India
Torrential rainfall submerged entire Delhi-NCR on Friday (June 28), leading to severe traffic jams and widespread waterlogging in various areas.
Amid the waterlogging woes, Delhi's BJP Councillor Ravinder Singh Negi was seen rowing an inflatable boat in a show of protest against the national capital's "collapsing" infrastructure.
Negi accused the Delhi government of not getting the PWD drains cleaned before the monsoons which he said led to the situation.
"All PWD drains are overflowing. They didn't get it cleaned ahead of Monsoon. This has led to waterlogging...Vinod Nagar has submerged," Negi said while speaking to news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Delhi: BJP Councillor Ravinder Singh Negi rows an inflatable boat amid severe waterlogging as a symbolic protest against Delhi Government. Visuals from NH9 area.
He says, "...All PWD drains are overflowing. They didn't get it cleaned ahead of Monsoon. This has led to… pic.twitter.com/eUMivjGYsR
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024
BJP MP Yogendra Chandolia from North West Delhi did a walkthrough in the waterlogged streets of his constituency accusing the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of not making any preparations during pre-monsoon to avoid such a situation.
"No drainage has been cleaned, the AAP MLA has no time to get things done, and this has become the reason for waterlogging even during pre-monsoon..." Chandolia said.
Delhi: BJP MP Yogendra Chandolia from North West Delhi takes to the streets amidst waterlogging, says, "No drainage has been cleaned, the AAP MLA has no time to get things done, and this has become the reason for waterlogging even during pre-monsoon..." pic.twitter.com/aFfMo2IKxE
— IANS (@ians_india) June 28, 2024
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav was seen being lifted by his staff members to his car as the area outside of his house was flooded with water.
@ajeetbharti Lodhi Estate Area, Delhi...
I'm not judging on what's happening here is right or wrong, the Leader is from Samajwadi Party, Ram Gopal Yadav.
Wonder what would have happened if he would have been from BJP.. pic.twitter.com/6xhNyPMfMz
— sanjay trivedi (@sanjaytrivedi) June 28, 2024
On Friday (June 28), Delhi received its highest-ever rainfall in the last 88 years.
The Indian Meteorological Department said that from 8:30 am on Thursday (June 27) to 8:30 am on Friday (June 28) Delhi received 228 mm of rainfall, which marked the highest 24-hour rainfall in June in the national capital since 1936 when 235.5 mm of rainfall was recorded.
The MET department said that IMD's Safdarjung airport observatory recorded 234.5mm of rainfall between June 1 to June 28, which is the third highest in the last 124 years.
Also read: Delhi-NCR receives the highest rainfall in 88 years, deluge brings city to standstill
Bus submerges in water, passengers wear life jackets
A bus with passengers got stuck under the flooded Kodia Bridge underpass in Kishanganj and was pulled out by police and rescue teams on Friday (June 28).
#WATCH | Delhi witnesses severe waterlogging amidst a heavy downpour. Visuals from Safdarjung area, AIIMS. pic.twitter.com/8SoAY9rbhw
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024
The bus remained stranded for more than two hours because of the flooding. The passengers were seen swimming towards safer zone using ropes and wearing life jackets.
Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena took note of the preparedness for the emergency response system and instructed the establishment of an emergency control room which will be manned 24x7. He further instructed the utilisation of the mobile pumps.
(With inputs from agencies)