Delhi Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena today convened an emergency meeting of all concerned agencies of Delhi Government to review the situation arising out of severe waterlogging, overflow of unsilted drains and backflow of clogged sewer lines, in wake of the pre-monsoon rains in the City. Officials of the Delhi Jal Board, Public Works Department, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council, Delhi Police, Delhi Development Authority and National Disaster Response Force were present in the meeting. Mr. Saxena also reviewed the preparedness and emergency response of various departments to deal with the situation, as indeed the monsoon season is yet to fully set in.
Mr. Saxena has issued several directions for immediate action including establishment of an 24 into seven emergency control room, testing of all static pumps and undertaking of the desilting works of all drains. Mr. Saxena has further issued directions for the Traffic police to roll out regular traffic advisories in case of water logging. Irrigation and Flood Control Department has been directed to regularly be in touch with their counterparts in Haryana and upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh to assess rainfall levels, discharges from Hathnikund barrage. The Delhi LG has also asked the Revenue department to activate the disaster response cell under Delhi Disaster Management Authority in the eventuality of excessive rainfall. Power department will ensure that DISCOMS take preventive measures. Mr. Saxena has said that All senior officers of municipal bodies, engineering departments should be present in the field to monitor critical locations.