New Delhi’s renowned National Zoological Park (NZP), commonly known as Delhi Zoo, faced a critical two-day power outage following unprecedented rainfall that inundated the city, wreaking havoc on infrastructure and services across the capital.
Officials at Delhi Zoo reported that the power failure occurred on Friday when floodwaters breached the zoo’s boundary wall from the Sundernagar side, inundating the substation area and causing damage to the transformer. This disruption severely affected animal enclosures, administrative offices, and staff quarters, necessitating immediate emergency measures to safeguard the welfare of animals and ensure operational continuity. “In the wake of excessive rain and the breach of our boundary wall, water inundated the substation area, leading to moisture damage and malfunction of transformer circuits,” explained a senior zoo official. To mitigate the impact, the zoo swiftly deployed two diesel generator sets, operating alternately to sustain essential functions. Recognizing the urgency, additional generator sets were procured on rent to bolster backup capabilities. Throughout the crisis, efforts were focused on pumping out floodwater using floating pumps and ensuring that electrical circuits and equipment remained free from moisture.
“Electricity supply was maintained through alternative DG sets while our technical team worked tirelessly to rectify the transformer issues. By Sunday evening, the transformer was restored to functionality,” the official added. The city of Delhi experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall on Friday, registering 228.1 mm, marking the highest rainfall for the month in 80 years. The deluge resulted in loss of life, property damage, and widespread service disruptions across various sectors. Delhi Zoo, inaugurated in 1959, hosts a diverse array of wildlife, including iconic species such as white tigers, Royal Bengal tigers, rhinoceroses, and hippopotamuses. The zoo serves not only as a conservation hub but also as an educational institution, attracting visitors from across the nation. This incident underscores the resilience and preparedness required to manage natural disasters effectively, emphasizing the importance of robust contingency planning and infrastructure resilience in safeguarding critical facilities like Delhi Zoo amidst unpredictable weather events and climate challenges. As Delhi navigates through the aftermath of this weather crisis, the focus remains on restoring normalcy, reinforcing infrastructure, and enhancing disaster preparedness to ensure continued safety and operational stability in the face of future challenges.
