Delhi Monsoon Prep Reviewed: L-G Warns of Action Over Flood Lapses
Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Monday directed departments to take all possible measures to prevent monsoon flooding and warned that responsibility would be fixed for any lapses.
Mr. Sandhu, along with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, chaired a meeting of Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) officials, where he reviewed the city’s preparedness for heavy rainfall, progress on the urban flood mitigation plan and the rollout of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
According to an official release issued by Lok Niwas, the number of waterlogging-prone locations declined from 194 in 2024 to 169 in 2025 and further to 34 so far this year. The number of locations witnessing repeated flooding also fell from 53 between 2024 and 2025 to eight between 2025 and 2026.
In a statement, Mr. Sandhu said that while flooding remained a long-standing problem in Delhi, departments must continue with short-term measures until long-term drainage projects were completed.
Ms. Gupta directed departments to ensure that silt removed from drains was disposed of immediately. She also instructed officials to keep drains, sewer lines and manholes covered and repair potholes without delay, stressing that no accidents should occur due to civic works, the release stated.
“The L-G said the city had witnessed an improvement in waterlogging and traffic movement compared with last year, but added that further progress would require better coordination among departments and greater use of technology,” the release added.
The L-G directed that the SDRF be made operational at the earliest and asked departments to avoid delays caused by jurisdictional disputes during emergencies.
He also ordered the deployment of mobile heavy-duty pumps, real-time monitoring of public complaints and closer coordination among civic agencies and neighbouring States to improve the Capital’s response to flooding.
Meanwhile, officials informed the meeting that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, the New Delhi Municipal Council and the Delhi Development Authority had completed their drain desilting targets.
“The Public Works Department had completed around 95% of its desilting work, but said further progress had been affected by encroachments on drains. The Delhi Jal Board reported that more than 85% of trunk sewer lines and over 90% of peripheral and branch sewer lines had been desilted,” the release stated.
The meeting also discussed the need to identify and remove dangerous trees before storms or heavy rainfall to prevent accidents, it added.
