The Impressive TimesNEW DELHI, 11 JUNE: With an aim to prevent waterlogging in Delhi during the monsoon, the Rekha government has taken proactive steps. Today, CM Smt. Rekha Gupta chaired an important meeting of the Apex Committee on flood control at Delhi Secretariat. The meeting was attended by Cabinet Ministers Shri Pravesh Sahib Singh, Shri Ashish Sood, MP Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Shri Ramveer Singh Bidhuri, Shri Yogendra Chandolia, Ms. Bansuri Swaraj, MLAs Shri Jitender Mahajan, Shri Manoj Kumar Shokeen, Shri Anil Kumar Sharma, Smt. Shikha Roy and senior officials from PWD, MCD, DDA, Delhi Jal Board, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, and other civic agencies. The meeting was convened to review the city’s preparedness ahead of the monsoon season and to issue the Flood Control Order 2025, which serves as a manual or guidebook for all departments in case of a flood situation. This document includes details of each department’s responsibilities, emergency contact points, and disaster management protocols.
After the meeting, CM Smt. Rekha Gupta said that every year, citizens of Delhi suffer due to the dual challenges of floods and waterlogging. She recalled how in August-September 2023, Delhi experienced an unprecedented flood when the Yamuna River rose to 208.6 meters, submerging many residential areas and resulting in loss of life and severe disruption. In today’s meeting the CM reviewed departmental preparedness to deal with potential flooding caused by rising Yamuna levels or heavy rainfall. She assured that this time, all departments are in action mode well before the monsoon. Nodal officers have been deployed in major flood-prone areas and key drains are being desilted by PWD, MCD, and other departments.
Criticizing previous governments for their inaction, the CM said that flood control was never taken seriously by the previous government. She pointed out how in 2023, gates of the barrage couldn’t even be opened due to poor preparedness. In contrast, this year all major barrages have undergone large-scale repairs and maintenance, and nearly 20 lakh metric tonnes of silt have been removed from major drains. Around 80-90% of desilting work by MCD and PWD is complete and the rest is ongoing.
CM said the newly released Flood Control Order 2025 includes complete guidelines for drainage systems, river embankments, pumping stations, operational plans, equipment details, and emergency contact numbers. This will ensure coordination and prompt response among agencies. In addition, Sector Committees have been formed under the leadership of Cabinet Ministers Shri Pravesh Sahib Singh, Shri Ashish Sood, and Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa. Each committee will include 3-4 DMs responsible for flood management in their respective sectors.
The Central Flood Control Room will start operating from June 15, 2025, and has been established at the office of the DM (East). It will function as a citywide coordination hub with representatives from all civic bodies stationed 24×7. A total of 15 wireless stations including the central control room will monitor water levels of the Yamuna and other vulnerable areas continuously.
CM directed that all departments keep their teams on alert and ensure readiness for any emergency during the monsoon. She instructed that all flood-relief equipment be checked and robust arrangements be made for the evacuation of people from the Yamuna floodplains if needed. PWD and other departments must ensure that all permanent pump houses are functional, and deploy mobile pumps wherever necessary to prevent waterlogging.
She said if the Yamuna crosses the warning level of 204.5 meters during the monsoon, residents in low-lying areas will be alerted and shifted to safer locations. Boats will be stationed at 14 key points for rescue operations, and measures will be taken to ensure floodwater does not reach main roads or disrupt traffic. Irrigation and Flood Control Department has been instructed to keep all regulators fully functional.
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