The Delhi Government on Wednesday issued the Flood Control Order-2026, directing departments to strengthen preparedness measures. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta warned that negligence in tackling waterlogging and flood-related situations would not be tolerated.
The directions were issued at a high-level meeting of the apex committee at the Delhi Secretariat to review monsoon preparedness across the city. The meeting was attended by MPs, ministers, MLAs and senior officials from the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department, Public Works Department (PWD), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Jal Board and other agencies.
Gupta said a nodal officer would be appointed for each identified waterlogging point and held accountable for any lapses. She directed departments to keep emergency response teams on alert, inspect flood-relief equipment and ensure evacuation arrangements in vulnerable areas.
The government has activated a three-tier alert system to monitor the Yamuna’s water levels. Officials said the Central Flood Control Room had been operational round the clock since June 15, while sector-level committees, headed by ministers, had been formed to coordinate flood management efforts.
More than 30 lakh metric tonnes of silt had been removed from 77 drains, including 22 major drains, exceeding this year’s desilting target, officials said. The remaining work is underway.
The I&FC Department informed the committee that embankments and regulators along the Yamuna had been strengthened, while major pump houses were upgraded. A digital monitoring system has also been developed to provide real-time updates on water released from the Hathnikund Barrage, flow at Palla and the Yamuna’s water level.
To tackle waterlogging, the number of pumps across the city has been increased to over 243, including permanent, mobile and tractor-mounted pumps. Emergency boats have also been increased to 41, along with additional motorboat engines and support equipment.
The MCD said desilting work was underway in 793 drains deeper than four feet, while control rooms had been set up in all 12 municipal zones. Additional machinery, portable pumps and manpower have been deployed in vulnerable locations. Special focus was given to waterlogging-prone areas such as Kirari, Mundka, Rohtak Road and Burari. Public representatives raised concerns over drainage issues in these areas, following which Gupta directed officials to undertake additional pumping, desilting and monitoring.
