A tragic incident unfolded in Delhi’s Jaitpur area on Saturday morning, as eight people, including two young children, lost their lives when a wall collapsed near Mohan Baba Mandir in the Hari Nagar locality. The collapse occurred following heavy overnight rains, which pounded the city and caused widespread disruption.

Red Alert issued

According to officials, the victims were scrap dealers and their families residing in makeshift jhuggis close to the old temple. The wall, weakened by the intense rainfall, suddenly gave way, trapping the residents inside their shanties.

The Delhi Fire Service received a distress call at 9:16 a.m., and dispatched three fire tenders along with police teams to the scene. Locals also joined the rescue efforts, pulling the victims out from the rubble.

Deceased identified

The deceased were identified as Muttu Ali (45), Rabibul (30), Shabibul (30), Rubina (25), Dolly (25), Hashibul, and two girls, Rukhsana (6) and Hasina (7). All were rushed to Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS, but succumbed to their injuries during treatment. Officials stated that the exact cause of the collapse is under investigation, but early reports point to rain-induced structural failure.

Following the tragedy, authorities evacuated the slum settlement to prevent further incidents, as the area remains vulnerable due to weak infrastructure. Senior police officer Aishwarya Sharma said, “We have cleared the site to prevent another mishap. The rain and the unsafe structure were a deadly combination.”

Meanwhile, Delhi received 78.7 mm of rain at Safdarjung, with other areas like Pragati Maidan recording up to 100 mm. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the city, warning of moderate to heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds (30–40 kmph).

Over 130 flights delayed

The deluge led to waterlogging across several areas, including Panchkuian Marg, Mathura Road, and Connaught Place, causing severe traffic snarls. Over 130 flights were delayed at IGI Airport, with airlines issuing advisories for passengers.

The Yamuna River is also rising and nearing the warning level of 204.50 metres, raising concerns about possible flooding in low-lying parts of the city.

The tragedy in Jaitpur highlights the urgent need for safer housing and disaster preparedness in vulnerable urban areas, especially as extreme weather events become more frequent.

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