Vikas Divyakirti, founder and managing director of Drishti IAS, has provided an account of the harrowing situation that led to students being trapped in a coaching center basement in Delhi. Divyakirti, who has faced considerable criticism on social media, described how water accumulation contributed to the crisis.
The incident occurred when heavy rainfall overwhelmed the basement of the coaching facility. According to Divyakirti, it took only 50 seconds for the water to flood the area, catching both students and staff by surprise. The basement, which was meant to serve as a safe and functional space for learning, quickly became a perilous environment as the water levels rose.
The unexpected flood resulted in significant distress among the students, many of whom were preparing for competitive exams. Immediate efforts were made to rescue those trapped, but the severity of the flooding delayed the operation. The coaching center's emergency protocols were tested, revealing gaps in the preparedness for such unforeseen circumstances.
As the news of the incident spread, Divyakirti faced intense scrutiny. Critics have questioned the adequacy of the facility’s infrastructure and emergency response measures. In response, Divyakirti has defended the coaching center's safety measures and outlined the steps taken to mitigate the impact of the disaster.
The Delhi government has launched an investigation into the incident, examining whether the coaching center adhered to safety regulations and what improvements are necessary to prevent similar events in the future. The authorities are also assessing the extent of the damage and the adequacy of the rescue efforts.
In the aftermath, there has been an increased focus on the importance of infrastructure resilience in educational institutions, particularly those catering to large numbers of students. The incident has sparked a broader discussion about safety standards and emergency preparedness in coaching centers across the city.
Divyakirti's detailed account of the events has been crucial in understanding the sequence of events and the response from the coaching center. The situation highlights the critical need for effective emergency planning and rapid response capabilities to ensure the safety of students in similar scenarios.
The Delhi coaching center is now working on addressing the criticisms and implementing improvements to avoid future incidents. The focus is on enhancing the facility's infrastructure and emergency protocols to better manage unforeseen situations.