1 week ago
NDMC Chief Apologises as Delhi Waterlogging Fuels Political Row
Very heavy rain fell in Delhi in a short time.
More than 72 millimetres of rain came down in less than two hours.
Water collected on roads in several important areas.
In some places, the water stayed for more than an hour.
The city council said blocked drains and not having enough pumps made the problem worse.
Its chairman, Manoj Dwivedi, apologised to people who were affected.
He said heavy rain was not an excuse for the slow response.
The council plans to clean drains more often, add pumps and improve how rainwater is stored and moved.
Political parties also used images and videos of flooding to criticise the authorities.
More than 72 mm of rain fell in under two hours on 25 August 2026.
Waterlogging lasted over an hour in parts of Connaught Place, Mandir Marg, BKS Marg and Talkatora.
NDMC Chairperson Manoj Kumar Dwivedi blamed choked drains, limited pumping and water entering from Panchukian Road.
Dwivedi apologised, saying the delay was unacceptable and that rainfall could not excuse the response.
NDMC announced round-the-clock desilting, increased pumping capacity, drainage upgrades and expanded rainwater harvesting efforts.
- Who
- The New Delhi Municipal Council, chaired by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, along with political critics including Congress and Aam Aadmi Party leaders.
- What
- Heavy rain caused prolonged waterlogging in parts of Delhi, prompting an NDMC apology, announced reforms and political criticism.
- Where
- NDMC areas including Connaught Place, Mandir Marg, BKS Marg and Talkatora; waterlogging was also reported or shown in posts concerning Parliament and Talkatora Stadium.
- When
- The main waterlogging occurred on 25 August 2026 after heavy rain; related disruption was also reported after rainfall on the preceding Monday.
- Why
- More than 72 mm of rain fell in under two hours, while choked drains, limited pumping capacity and water entering from Panchukian Road delayed drainage.
NDMC Explanation and Response
Political and Public Criticism
Cause of the prolonged waterlogging
NDMC Explanation and Response
NDMC attributed the delay to unexpectedly intense rainfall, choked drains, the need for two pumps and water entering from Panchukian Road, while saying the rainfall was not an excuse.
Political and Public Criticism
Critics pointed to the flooding as evidence that drainage and civic preparedness were inadequate, with Congress and AAP leaders using related images, videos and posts to attack the authorities.
Whether the response met expectations
NDMC Explanation and Response
Dwivedi said most areas were cleared in less than 20 minutes and that NDMC is generally better equipped for rain-related problems, but acknowledged that several locations exceeded its standards.
Political and Public Criticism
Dwivedi’s apology and statement that the delay was unacceptable reflected residents’ expectation that waterlogging should be cleared within the council’s usual timeframe and should not cause prolonged inconvenience.
How urban flood resilience should improve
NDMC Explanation and Response
NDMC plans more pumps, continuous desilting, stronger drains, rainwater harvesting and possible diversion and reuse of rainwater.
Political and Public Criticism
Urban policy expert Surjyatapa Ray argued that resilience requires managing the entire water chain—from surfaces and streets through drains to lakes, wetlands, tanks, aquifers and safe outfalls—not simply building larger drains.
Key facts
- Rainfall
- More than 72 mm fell in less than two hours on 25 August 2026.
- Affected NDMC locations
- Connaught Place, Mandir Marg, BKS Marg and Talkatora were among the areas where drainage took longer than usual.
- Drainage duration
- Water took more than an hour to clear in at least three or four locations.
- NDMC benchmarks
- Dwivedi said water is usually cleared within 15–20 minutes; he also described 35–40 minutes as the NDMC operational standard.
- Reported causes
- Some drains were choked, two pumps were needed in affected areas, and water entered the NDMC area from Panchukian Road.
- Immediate response
- NDMC said it would undertake round-the-clock drain desilting and increase pumping capacity.
- Long-term plans
- The council plans to strengthen drainage, encourage rainwater harvesting and explore diverting and reusing rainwater.
Quotes
Manoj Kumar Dwivedi
NDMC Chairperson who apologised after prolonged waterlogging in parts of New Delhi.
“At the NDMC, we ensure that the water is drained within 35 to 40 minutes. But in areas like Mandir Marg, Connaught Place, BKS Marg, Talkotara, it took longer than usual because some drains got choked and it took two pumps to drain them out.”
indianexpress.com
“But this cannot be an excuse and we will have to strengthen our systems to deal with such situations in future. I sincerely apologise to everyone in the NDMC area who faced difficulties due to waterlogging instances on 25th August 2026.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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