Hefty rainfall causes wall to crumble in Delhi, resulting in the tragic deaths of 7 individuals, among them being 2 children.
Heavy Monsoon Rains Cause Tragic Wall Collapses in New Delhi
New Delhi, India, has been hit by a series of tragic incidents due to heavy monsoon rains. The city has witnessed multiple wall collapses, resulting in several deaths, including children, and causing widespread disruption.
The most recent incident occurred on Friday night in New Delhi, where a wall collapse resulted in at least seven fatalities. The victims were casual labourers and their families, and were taken to the hospital following the incident. They were later pulled from the debris after the collapse.
The cause of the wall's collapse is not entirely clear, but it is believed that waterlogging and prolonged heavy rainfall, as well as weakened structures from prolonged rain, played a significant role. Old, poorly maintained or neglected walls, often near temples, shrines, or in informal settlements, show structural failure during heavy rains. Encroachment and unsafe construction practices in vulnerable areas also exacerbate risks, especially for residents of makeshift jhuggis adjacent to fragile structures.
The tragedy has highlighted structural vulnerabilities and unsafe living conditions near old walls and makeshift settlements. Multiple deaths have been reported, such as eight fatalities including children in Hari Nagar, and three deaths including two boys in Vasant Vihar caused by collapsing walls amid rain.
The city has been severely affected by the disruption caused by waterlogging, fallen trees, traffic chaos, and emergency rescue operations during heavy monsoon spells. Evacuation of vulnerable settlements near weak structures has been initiated to prevent further loss of life.
To mitigate such incidents, authorities like the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) have been urged to conduct regular structural inspections and maintenance on older walls, especially around public spaces and informal settlements. Evacuation and relocation of people living close to fragile or old walls during heavy rain warnings to safer locations is also crucial. Improved urban planning and regulation enforcement to prevent unsafe constructions near vulnerable walls and prompt removal of unsafe structures is essential. Effective drainage systems to reduce waterlogging and soil saturation that weakens structures are also necessary. Enhanced disaster preparedness and early warning systems, such as issuing red alerts and mobilizing rapid response teams, can help reduce casualties.
These tragic incidents underscore the critical need for coordinated structural safety audits and urban resilience planning to mitigate heavy rain-related wall collapses and save lives in Delhi. The reports were based on statements from senior police official Aishwarya Sharma. It is worth noting that many workers in Delhi live in illegal settlements, increasing their risk during heavy rainfall.
In other news, India's second Test match against England has been delayed due to rain. The incident was reported by local media on Saturday.
In light of the recent tragic wall collapses in New Delhi due to heavy monsoon rains, authorities are emphasizing the importance of structural inspections and urban planning to ensure safety and prevent further incidents. Simultaneously, India's second Test match against England has been held back due to rain, demonstrating yet another impact of the adverse weather conditions.
