In a heart-wrenching incident in Delhi, three aspiring civil servants lost their lives when they were trapped in a flooded basement at the Rao IAS Study Centre in Old Rajendra Nagar on Saturday. The tragedy unfolded around 7 p.m., prompting a swift response from the Delhi Fire Department, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local police. Despite their efforts, the basement remained inundated, with water levels reaching up to seven feet.

Immediate Rescue Operations and Aftermath

The Delhi Fire Officer, Atul Garg, reported that five fire vehicles were deployed to the site shortly after the flooding was reported. Initial rescue operations led to the retrieval of one female student’s body, with two more bodies being recovered hours later. The police stated that about 30 students were inside the centre when the flooding began, with 13 to 14 being successfully rescued and taken to the hospital. The remaining students managed to escape the site.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Central, M Harshavardhan, confirmed that the rescue efforts were still ongoing. He urged patience from the public and students, emphasizing that the ongoing operations to pump out the water and complete the final search were crucial.

Protests and Political Fallout

The tragic incident has sparked significant unrest among students and political figures. Following the recovery of the bodies, students staged a protest against the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). They highlighted persistent waterlogging issues at the coaching centre, claiming that the basement frequently floods after just a brief rainfall. The students accused the MCD of negligence, stating that critical infrastructure issues had been ignored.

DCP Harshavardhan appealed to students to avoid obstructing rescue operations, stressing that such actions could impede the ongoing efforts to manage the disaster.

Political Reactions and Allegations

The Delhi BJP has heavily criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in response to the incident. Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva called for an investigation into alleged corruption within the MCD, questioning why drainage systems were not adequately maintained. He accused the AAP government of prioritizing personal and political interests over essential municipal functions.

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla took a more direct approach, describing the incident as a “murder” attributed to AAP’s alleged criminal negligence. He condemned the Kejriwal-led government for its perceived focus on press conferences and advertisements rather than addressing urgent issues affecting Delhi residents.

In contrast, Delhi Minister Atishi promised accountability, stating that whoever is responsible for the incident will be held accountable. She emphasized that a magistrate has been appointed to investigate the cause of the flooding and the response to the crisis.

This tragic incident underscores the critical need for effective urban planning and infrastructure maintenance. Experts highlight that such disasters often reveal deeper systemic issues, including inadequate emergency response protocols and poor maintenance of essential services. The response from both local authorities and political leaders will be closely scrutinized to ensure that justice is served and preventative measures are put in place to avoid future tragedies.

  Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi, Atul Garg, Delhi, Kavya Thapar, M. Harshavardhan, MCD, Old Rajendra Nagar, Puri Jagannadh, Ram Pothineni, Rao IAS Study Centre, Sanjay Dutt, Shehzad Poonawalla, Virendra Sachdeva