Commonwealth chaos: Village flooded, Army called in

Just a week left for an international team to fly in for a final inspection and the Commonwealth Games Village still looks like an island in the Yamuna. Unable to drain the rainwater that has collected, which is breeding mosquitoes, a desperate Delhi Govt has decided to call in the army. Neelam Pandey reports. Govt gets clean-up act together

Just a week left for an international team to fly in for a final inspection and the Commonwealth Games Village still looks like an island in the Yamuna. Unable to drain the rainwater that has collected, which is breeding mosquitoes, a desperate Delhi government has decided to call in the army.

Delhi health minister Kiran Walia confirmed the army has been approached. A formal communication to the General Officer Commanding, Northern Command, will be sent soon.

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"We approached the army because they are far better equipped to manage flood-like situations. Incessant rains have flooded most parts of the Village... The river has also been flowing above the danger mark. We have inspected the area with army officials,” Walia said.

The government had relied on the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to pump out the water but the only step the agency seems to have taken is to fine the Village several times for mosquito-breeding.

Walia has directed the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control to clean the Shakarpur drain, within a 2-km radius of the Village, as it is completely clogged and is stopping the rainwater from flowing out.

With dengue looming, Australia and Malaysia have issued advisories while 25 participating countries have written to the Organising Committee for information on measures taken.