New Delhi, July 15, 2023: The Indian Army and Navy have taken center stage in the ongoing efforts to address the flooding crisis in Delhi. After the damage to a drain regulator and jammed sluice gates of a barrage caused the Yamuna River to overflow onto the roads, the Delhi administration sought assistance from the armed forces. On the night of July 13, as the Yamuna River surged above the danger mark, low-lying areas began to submerge.
The Delhi Chief Secretary and Army authorities engaged in discussions to determine the extent of the Army’s involvement. One team of Army engineers was swiftly deployed to the ITO bridge barrage, where they worked tirelessly overnight to remove the overhang above the sluice gates. By morning, they successfully completed the task on one of the gates and remained on standby for assistance in opening the jammed gates.
On July 14, it became evident that an additional team was required near the WHO building, where water backflow from the Yamuna river was flooding the city due to damage to the regulator door. The Army’s engineer team assessed the situation and constructed a temporary bund to redirect the water back to the Yamuna river. This effectively controlled the backflow of water into the city, and the Army team continues to be stationed at the location, prepared for any further contingencies.
The Army’s assistance extended to the restoration of water supply from the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant, which had been affected by the flooding. With the plant’s pumps submerged and the filtration system non-functional, the Army stands ready to reinstate operations once the water level recedes.
Additionally, two more Army teams have been deployed from neighboring Uttar Pradesh to augment the existing resources. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also acknowledged the valuable assistance provided by the Indian Navy in opening the jammed gates at the ITO barrage.
After nearly 20 hours of relentless efforts, the first jammed gate was successfully opened, thanks to a diving team that cleared the silt and a hydra crane that lifted the gate.
The collective efforts of the Indian Army and Navy have been instrumental in mitigating the flood crisis and restoring essential services to the affected areas of Delhi.
