Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Delhi LG Orders Disaster Response to Rain-Induced Waterlogging
Heavy rain caused water to collect on many roads in Delhi.
This made traffic move very slowly and left some commuters stranded.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu told officials to treat the waterlogging like a disaster.
He asked all government departments and agencies to work together.
Officials were also told to stay on the ground and solve people’s complaints quickly.
Complaints could come from news reports, social media or other platforms.
The New Delhi Municipal Council apologised for the problem in areas under its control.
It said most water cleared within 15–20 minutes, but three or four places took more than an hour.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu directed officials to treat waterlogging as a disaster requiring a war-footing response.
He called for a whole-of-government approach, with departments and agencies working together instead of in silos.
Officials were told to remain active on the ground and provide real-time responses to complaints from media, social media and other platforms.
More than 100 mm of rain fell at several Delhi weather stations on Tuesday, causing waterlogging and severe traffic disruption.
The New Delhi Municipal Council apologised, deployed measures to clear water and said most affected areas were drained within 15–20 minutes.
- Who
- Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, senior officers, government agencies and the New Delhi Municipal Council.
- What
- Officials were instructed to coordinate a war-footing response to waterlogging and address citizens’ complaints in real time.
- When
- The heavy rain occurred on Tuesday; Sandhu reviewed the situation late Tuesday evening and issued the directions on Wednesday, August 26.
- Where
- Delhi, including stretches around ITO, Mandi House, Vikas Marg, Laxmi Nagar, Karol Bagh and Akshardham flyover.
- Why
- Heavy monsoon rain, including more than 100 mm at several weather stations, caused water accumulation, traffic disruption and stranded commuters.
- Rainfall
- Several Delhi weather stations recorded more than 100 mm of rain on Tuesday.
- Weather record
- Tuesday was Delhi’s wettest August day in two years.
- Response level
- Waterlogging was ordered to be treated as a disaster requiring a war-footing response.
- Administrative approach
- Departments and agencies were asked to work in complete synergy through a whole-of-government approach.
- Complaint handling
- Officials were told to prioritise real-time redressal of complaints from media, social media and other platforms.
- Water clearance
- The New Delhi Municipal Council said it generally cleared waterlogging within 15–20 minutes, though three to four locations took more than an hour.
- Emergency measures
- Concerned agencies deployed mobile pump sets and officers conducted joint inspections.
