The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, 17 June 2026: A high-level meeting of the Apex Committee was held at the Delhi Secretariat on Wednesday under the chairpersonship of Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta to review the preparedness of various departments for the upcoming monsoon season and any potential flood situation. The Chief Minister said that the Delhi Government’s objective is not merely to respond during disasters, but to identify potential risks in advance and ensure effective preventive measures. She directed all departments to ensure continuous monitoring of sensitive areas and made it clear that negligence of any kind during the monsoon season would not be tolerated.
The meeting was attended by North West Delhi MP Shri Yogender Chandolia, South Delhi MP Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, North East Delhi MP Shri Manoj Tiwari, Delhi Cabinet Ministers Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh, Shri Ashish Sood, Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Shri Ravinder Indraj Singh, RK Puram MLA Shri Anil Sharma, Rohtas Nagar MLA Shri Jitender Mahajan, Greater Kailash MLA Smt. Shikha Roy, along with senior officials from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC), PWD, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Jal Board and other concerned agencies.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister issued the ‘Flood Control Order-2026’. She said the order would serve as a guideline document for all departments. It includes details of drainage systems, river embankments, pumping stations, regulatory mechanisms, operational plans, machinery deployment and contact details of control rooms.
*Nodal Officers to Be Appointed for Monitoring Waterlogging: CM*
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta specifically directed that a nodal officer be appointed for every identified waterlogging point in Delhi, with clearly defined responsibilities. She said that if waterlogging occurs in any area, the concerned officer will be held directly accountable. She further directed all departments to keep their teams on alert and remain prepared to deal with any emergency situation during the monsoon. All equipment used for relief and rescue operations should be inspected in accordance with prescribed checklists. Departments were also instructed to make adequate arrangements for the safe evacuation of people in the event of flooding. The Chief Minister further directed PWD and other departments to ensure that all permanent pump houses are inspected and that mobile pumps are deployed in waterlogging-prone areas to prevent water accumulation across the city during the rainy season.
*Three-Tier Alert Plan for Yamuna Water Levels*
Officials informed the meeting that the Central Flood Control Room has been functioning on a 24×7 basis since June 15. High-level sector committees have also been constituted under the leadership of Cabinet Ministers Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh, Shri Ashish Sood and Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa. Each sector committee will include three to four District Magistrates, who will be fully responsible for flood management and coordination in their respective areas.
All sector committees are currently operational and continuous monitoring of the Yamuna’s water level is underway. Officials also informed the meeting that NDRF teams would be available for immediate assistance whenever required. In addition, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department and district administrations have completed all preparations related to boat deployment and rescue operations.
*Preparations by the I&FC Department*
Officials of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department presented a detailed account of the structural, technical and field-level improvements undertaken to manage and control flood-like situations. They informed the meeting that embankments and regulators along the Yamuna have been strengthened significantly and that upgrades of major pump houses have been completed.
The department has also developed a new digital system that will provide real-time information on water released from the Hathnikund Barrage, water flow in the Palla area and the Yamuna’s water level. The department has exceeded its desilting target for this year. More than 30 lakh metric tonnes of silt have been removed from 77 drains, including 22 major drains, while the remaining work is continuing on a war footing.
Compared to last year, the number of pumps has been increased to more than 243, including permanent, mobile and tractor-mounted pumps. The number of boats available for emergency situations has been increased to 41. In addition, 31 motorboat engines and 12 boat-carriage trolleys have been made available.
The department has also ensured the procurement of modern flood-control equipment, maintenance of pumps and DG sets, repair of regulators and flood gates, protection of embankments and adequate availability of flood-control materials. To facilitate quick decision-making, the wireless communication system has been further strengthened. Regular patrolling arrangements have also been made along the Yamuna embankments.
To ensure that there are no obstructions to drainage at junction points where drains maintained by different agencies meet, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department has formed joint inspection committees with PWD and MCD. The Chief Minister directed officials to inspect all such points and ensure necessary corrective measures before the monsoon season.
*MCD Intensifies Drain-Cleaning Work*
Officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) informed the meeting that cleaning work is being carried out on 793 drains that are more than four feet deep. Additional drains have also been included in the desilting programme compared to last year. Control rooms have been established in all 12 MCD zones and adequate arrangements have been made for both permanent and portable pumps. Detailed action plans have been prepared for locations vulnerable to waterlogging. Necessary machinery and additional manpower are also being deployed.
*Special Focus on Vulnerable Areas*
During the meeting, public representatives raised issues related to waterlogging and drainage in Kirari, Mundka, Rohtak Road, Burari and other sensitive areas. The Chief Minister directed officials to maintain special monitoring in these locations and immediately implement additional pumping, desilting and drainage measures wherever required. Special instructions were also issued to further strengthen waterlogging-control measures in Kirari and ensure regular monitoring of the area.
Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta said the Delhi Government remains fully committed to ensuring the safety and convenience of citizens during the monsoon season. She expressed confidence that through coordinated efforts by various departments, the use of modern technology and timely preparedness, Delhi would be fully capable of effectively dealing with monsoon-related challenges and any potential flood situation this year.
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