This refers to the editorial, “Capital mess” (July 28). Weather vagaries are not limited to one city or town in India. We have witnessed devastating flood furies in cities like Mumbai and Chennai due to incessant rains. The local administrators and civic authorities drew flak for their inadequate home work and meagre anticipation. Now, surprisingly, it is the turn of the national capital Delhi and its surroundings. Rains have pounded Delhi over the last week and people's misery knew no bounds. It is the same old familiar story of choked drainage system and overflowing of water. It is obvious that the Government was caught napping because the showers were not in excess of the previous year's but the Delhi administration did not anticipate such large-scale havoc.
The warning of the Indian Meteorological Department was not accorded the respect it deserved, and Delhiites suffered. Areas susceptible to flooding should have been identified to put in place necessary preventive measures.
The drainage system of the Capital needs a relook. If the existing drainage system is designed to hold a certain volume of sewage only, then alternate systems should be laid. Chalking out a comprehensive plan to cover all major cities of the country regarding limiting rain fury should be the priority for the governments.