Delhi CM Offers Rs 25 Lakh Ex-Gratia for Families of Storm Victims?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Delhi CM offers Rs 25 lakh to victims' families.
- Incident occurred in Kharkhari village due to a storm.
- Immediate government response is crucial.
- Infrastructure needs improvement to handle extreme weather.
- Over 100 flights were impacted due to severe weather.
New Delhi, May 2 (NationPress) - The Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, has approved an ex-gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh to the family members of four individuals who tragically lost their lives during a severe storm and heavy rainfall in Kharkhari village, Najafgarh.
A statement posted on the social media platform X by the Chief Minister’s office confirmed that the relief funds would be provided to Ajay, the head of the victims' family.
The fatalities occurred when powerful winds and torrential rain caused a tree to fall onto a tubewell room, where the family had sought refuge.
Officials indicated that the tree was uprooted by the fierce winds, resulting in the collapse of the structure that trapped Jyoti and her three children beneath the rubble.
Despite the swift response from rescue teams and the fire department, all four individuals were pronounced dead upon arrival at the Rao Tula Ram (RTR) Memorial Hospital located in Jafarpur Kalan.
Ajay, who is Jyoti’s husband and the father of the deceased children, sustained minor injuries during the incident and was discharged after receiving first aid. He is the son of Phool Singh Kushwaha, a local resident.
Earlier that day, over 100 flights experienced delays, with 40 flights being diverted due to the severe weather that affected Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR).
Morning traffic was significantly disrupted as waterlogging ensued in various areas, including Dwarka, Khanpur, South Extension Ring Road, Minto Road, Lajpat Nagar, and Moti Bagh.
In southern Delhi, significant waterlogging was reported on the Mehrauli-Badarpur Road near Tughlaqabad, hindering movement for residents. In Sangam Vihar, the Neem Chowk Road faced severe flooding, worsening the traffic situation.
Waterlogging at ITO, one of the busiest intersections in Delhi, caused additional traffic disruptions throughout the city.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the Majnu ka Tilla area on Friday to survey the waterlogged regions following the heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Expressing her concern, CM Gupta instructed officials and relevant departments to take immediate action wherever waterlogging issues arise.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma also assessed the situation at the Minto Bridge.