Delhi civic body apologises for waterlogging after record rainfall

The New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has issued an apology for severe waterlogging that affected Delhi following an intense bout of rainfall earlier this month. NDMC Chairperson Manoj Kumar Dwivedi attributed the flooding to unexpectedly heavy precipitation, noting that more than 72mm of rain was recorded in less than two hours on August 25.

The downpour overwhelmed the capital's drainage infrastructure, leaving roads inundated and disrupting traffic flow across multiple areas under NDMC jurisdiction. Civic officials described the rainfall intensity as unanticipated, though the extent of waterlogging raised questions about the city's readiness for extreme weather events.

Dwivedi's apology underscores growing concerns about Delhi's vulnerability to monsoon flooding, a recurring issue that has plagued the city during the rainy season. The incident highlights the challenges facing municipal authorities in managing stormwater drainage across a sprawling metropolitan region with aging infrastructure.

The NDMC's acknowledgment comes as civic bodies across India grapple with climate variability and the need to upgrade drainage systems to handle increasingly intense rainfall events. Officials are expected to review preparedness measures ahead of the remainder of the monsoon season.