As Delhi braces for the upcoming monsoon season, the city’s preparations have unveiled a concerning surge in waterlogging hotspots. The number of identified vulnerable spots has risen dramatically from 194 in 2024 to a staggering 445 for 2025, signifying a significant increase in the challenge faced by authorities in managing flooding and drainage during the rains.
Historically, the city has dealt with a persistent waterlogging problem, with recurring hotspots that experience heavy flooding every year. In 2020, only 136 locations were flagged as vulnerable to water accumulation, a figure that has steadily increased over the years, reaching 308 by 2023. However, the sharp rise to 445 hotspots for 2025 marks a new milestone, intensifying the urgency for solutions. The problem spans across multiple jurisdictions, with various agencies such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) involved in managing these hotspots. Among these, PWD is responsible for addressing the majority of the critical spots, with 335 locations falling under their purview.
Notably, areas around bridges and flyovers have proven to be particularly difficult for drainage management. In 2024, 24 hotspots were located under flyovers or bridges, making them notorious for repeated flooding. Several of these trouble spots, such as Minto Bridge, Zakhira Flyover, Azad Market Underpass, and Pul Prahladpur Underpass, have historically faced waterlogging even with previous intervention efforts. One of the most prominent concerns remains the stretch from Minto Road to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, a location that sees significant water accumulation, especially during heavy rains. Despite efforts in 2021 to install new drains and improve the drainage system near Minto Bridge, flooding persists in this area. In response, PWD has proposed a new solution, which includes the construction of a 1,000mm diameter underground drain, expected to be more effective in managing water flow during the monsoon months. This drain will connect to an extensive network, running through key locations like DDU Marg and BJP’s national headquarters, to better control the stormwater runoff.
As the monsoon season looms, the city is also focusing on ensuring that these critical spots are closely monitored and that quick fixes are implemented to mitigate damage. However, with a significant number of new hotspots identified, it is clear that the city’s drainage infrastructure still faces considerable challenges. The rising number of hotspots highlights the urgent need for a more holistic, long-term solution to Delhi’s waterlogging woes, possibly requiring smarter urban planning and investment in sustainable drainage solutions that can cope with the intensifying climate and urbanisation pressures. With the impact of climate change and the increase in unpredictable rainfall, the monsoon season is likely to pose even greater challenges for the city’s infrastructure. For now, the immediate task remains for authorities to address these 445 hotspots efficiently and prevent another year of severe flooding. Whether the existing measures will be enough remains to be seen, but the growing number of hotspots is a stark reminder of the pressing need for more effective, resilient urban infrastructure.
Also Read : https://urbanacres.in/delhi-records-hottest-day-in-three-years/
Delhi’s Waterlogging Hotspot Count Surges to 445 for 2025
