Fri May 02 09:46:26 UTC 2025: **Delhi Hit by Pre-Monsoon Downpour, Exposing Infrastructure Flaws**
NEW DELHI, May 2, 2025 – Delhi experienced intense pre-monsoon rainfall on Friday, leading to widespread waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and at least one fatality. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta blamed the severity of the flooding on a decade-long backlog in infrastructure development under the previous AAP government, led by Arvind Kejriwal.
The downpour, accompanied by strong winds and a dust storm, caused a house collapse in Najafgarh, resulting in the death of a woman and her three children. Major roads, including Minto Bridge and ITO, were severely affected by waterlogging, creating significant traffic congestion. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for the city. Delhi airport also experienced significant disruptions, with three flights diverted and over 200 delayed.
CM Gupta criticized Kejriwal, alleging his administration ignored infrastructure issues. She stated that ministers and officials were on the ground monitoring the situation from early morning, highlighting the proactive response in contrast to past administrations. Repair work on potholes and sewers has been ordered to mitigate the impact of the upcoming monsoon season. The CM emphasized the need for planned urban growth to prevent future crises.
Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh also inspected affected areas, reporting that pumps were operational at Minto Bridge despite a burst pipe (which is being repaired) and that drain cleaning was underway by multiple civic agencies. The CM’s statement underscored the urgency of addressing the city’s infrastructure deficiencies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
First Piper 