Rainwater Floods Delhi Coaching Center, Claiming Lives of UPSC Aspirants

New Delhi: In a heart-wrenching incident at Rau’s IAS coaching center in Old Rajender Nagar, Delhi, two young lives were lost when rainwater inundated the library in the basement. The victims were UPSC aspirants, caught off guard by the sudden deluge. Here’s what we know:

The Catastrophe Unfolds

• Fatal Flooding: As heavy rains lashed the city, water surged into the coaching center’s basement, trapping three students. While 27 managed to escape or were rescued, two girls lost their lives. The third student remains missing.
• Rescue Efforts: Multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, and fire brigade, sprang into action. Divers worked tirelessly to extract the bodies from the submerged library.
• Negligence Allegations: Outrage erupted over inadequate drainage systems and safety measures. Politicians pointed fingers at the local government, questioning why preventive measures weren’t in place.

Eyewitness Accounts

• Terrifying Moments: Students described the situation as “horrific” and unprecedented. The force of the water was so great that it breached the building’s gate, flooding the library.
• Previous Warning Signs: Some students recalled waist-deep rainwater on the street just a week prior. The coaching center had faced a similar situation then, but tragedy struck this time.

Victims Remembered

• Naveen Dalvin: Among the deceased was Naveen Dalvin, a Kerala native who had been pursuing his PhD at JNU. His dreams were cut short in the flooded library.

Investigation Underway

• Magistrate Inquiry: Delhi government minister Atishi ordered an investigation into the incident. Whoever is responsible will face consequences.
• Delhi Fire Department: Five fire engines battled the floodwaters, but one student remains unaccounted for. The rescue operation continues.

As the city mourns, questions linger about the coaching center’s safety protocols and the urgency of addressing drainage issues. The loss of these promising young minds serves as a stark reminder that negligence can have devastating consequences.