Delhi Wall Collapse Takes 8 Lives – Including 2 Children – as Heavy Rain Lashes Capital
New Delhi (India) – Eight people, including two children, tragically died after part of a Delhi wall fell on Saturday during a torrential downpour. This incident is known as the “Delhi Wall Collapse” and occurred in Hari Nagar in southeast Delhi’s Jaitpur district.
The majority of the affected people were scrap dealers who lived in hutments (jhuggis) located near an ancient temple. A wall adjacent to the temple collapsed suddenly, trapping people underneath the debris. The injured were immediately taken to Safdarjung Hospital or AIIMS. Despite the efforts of medical staff, eight people died from their injuries.
Shabibul (30), Rabibul (30), Muttu (45), Rubina (25), Dolly (25), Hashibul (Rukhsana 6), and Hasina (7) have all been named as the deceased. The authorities are examining the events that led to this tragedy, as well as the damage the collapse caused.
Aishwarya Singh, Aishwarya’s senior officer, commented, saying, “There are old jhuggis here where scrap-dealers live. Heavy rains overnight caused the wall to collapse. “We have evacuated the jhuggis to prevent such an incident from happening in future.”
The combination of intense rain and safety concerns can cause distress.
Waterlogging was widespread, and many areas were submerged in stagnant water after the wall collapsed. The India Meteorological Department issued a Red Alert in response to the exceptionally heavy rainfall forecast for Saturday.
Raksha Bandhan is a beloved Indian festival. However, the celebrations were marred by waterlogged streets and transport problems. The overnight rain caused major problems for local businesses and commuters. Traffic jams, waterlogged roads and delays became the norm as various areas of the city were gridlocked.
IMD data shows that Safdarjung Observatory in Delhi, which is one of the main weather stations of the city, had 78.7mm of rain during the 24 hours up until 8.30 am on Saturday. Pragati Maidan, on the other hand, recorded 100 mm of rainfall over the same period. The rain provided relief to Delhiites from oppressive humidity and heat in recent weeks. However, the aftermath of the storm raised concerns about public safety and the resilience of infrastructure.
Rising Yamuna Heightens Flood Concerns
Moreover, the sustained rain has increased fears of flooding. Water levels in Delhi’s Yamuna River have reached near warning levels. They were recorded as 204.50 meters on Saturday morning. The authorities are monitoring the water level closely and have increased preparedness for residents in low-lying zones.
Teams of emergency response personnel have been dispatched to deal with any situation that could arise due to possible flooding. Municipal authorities have been working to address waterlogging and ensure the smooth operation of services in the face of the constant rain.
Also Read: Delhi Experiences Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms and Waterlogging
Preventative Measures Initiated by Authorities
Local authorities are taking precautionary measures to evacuate adjacent jhuggis in the wake of this tragedy. In order to avoid future disasters, efforts are made to identify structural weaknesses and implement corrective measures.
The excessive rains often reveal underlying infrastructure weaknesses, which is why today’s event highlights the urgent need to take immediate action. As Delhi residents seek shelter from monsoon storms, the rain serves as a stark reminder to maintain safety, awareness and preparation during such disasters.
