Treat waterlogging in Delhi like a ‘disaster’, directs LG; NDMC chief apologises

Delhi LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu directed officials to treat waterlogging as a disaster, while NDMC chief Manoj Dwivedi apologised for prolonged waterlogging.

Updated on: Aug 27, 2026, 07:09:41 IST

By Snehil Sinha, Paras Singh

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A day after waterlogging disrupted traffic and daily life across several parts of the Capital, Delhi lieutenant governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Wednesday directed heads of all departments and agencies to remain present on the ground during flooding situations and treat waterlogging as a “disaster” requiring a war-footing response. Meanwhile, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) chairperson Manoj Dwivedi apologised to residents for prolonged waterlogging in parts of the civic body’s area.

Pedestrians are seen wading though a flooded road after Yamuna overflowed in Delhi following heavy rain. (Manish Swarup/AP)

The LG reviewed the situation in a meeting on Tuesday attended by senior officials and engineering heads of the Delhi Jal Board, Public Works Department (PWD), NDMC, traffic police, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and divisional administration. The LG office said he directed officials to adopt a “whole of government” approach and ensure coordination between agencies.

Also Read | Delhi sees heaviest 24-hr rain in two years; residents cite waterlogging strain

“Waterlogging must not be allowed to occur in the first place,” the LG office said, adding that installation of pumps at identified vulnerable locations should be expedited on a war footing. He also directed departmental heads to be physically present on streets during flooding and oversee remedial measures. Dwivedi, meanwhile, apologised and said the civic body normally clears waterlogging within 15-20 minutes, but at three to four locations it took more than an hour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Snehil Sinha
Snehil Sinha is an Assistant Editor with the Delhi Metro bureau of Hindustan Times, where she reports on politics, governance, public policy, urban infrastructure and transport, subjects that shape the everyday lives of millions in the national capital. Over a journalism career spanning 14 years, she has built a reputation for meticulous, data-driven reporting that combines on-ground perspectives with policy analysis. She began her career with The Indian Express before joining Hindustan Times, where she has reported extensively on civic administration and urban governance in Gurugram, Noida and now Delhi. Her reporting is distinguished by its clarity, depth and balance. Whether covering large-scale infrastructure projects, environmental challenges, transport reforms or government policy, she tries to translate complex administrative decisions into accessible, engaging stories without losing nuance. Her work reflects a strong command of public records, official data and field reporting, often connecting policy announcements with their impact on citizens. Her stories go beyond headlines to explain how governance decisions influence the city's growth, mobility and quality of life, making her work an important contribution to informed public discourse.Read More
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paras Singh
Paras Singh is a New Delhi-based journalist with Hindustan Times, where he serves as Deputy Metro Editor. He reports on urban governance, the Delhi government, the Delhi BJP, water management, the environment, communities and city life. He joined Hindustan Times in 2021 after beginning his journalism career at The Times of India in 2016, where he covered civic bodies, the water and power sectors, and urban infrastructure. Over the last decade, some of his reporting has led to significant public impact, with investigations into environmental violations, corruption and illegal industrial activity contributing to multiple judicial interventions by the National Green Tribunal and the Delhi High Court. A graduate of St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, Paras studied journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi. Having extensively covered the capital's evolving civic and governance landscape, his recent work increasingly explores Delhi's history, built heritage, urban evolution and the relationship between people and place, alongside continuing to report on governance and public policy.Read More

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