Safdarjung Hospital Viral Video: Patients Struggle Through Waterlogged Wards After Heavy Rain in Delhi

A viral video from Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital has sparked concern and criticism, showing patients and staff wading through ankle-deep water inside the hospital premises after heavy rainfall lashed the city.

 Patients Struggle Through Waterlogged Wards After Heavy Rain in Delhi 

#WATCH | Delhi: Patients wade through ankle-deep water as heavy rainfall causes water to seep into Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. pic.twitter.com/v3S86UgQYP

— ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2025

The footage, which surfaced on social media late Tuesday, shows water seeping into wards and corridors, turning the hospital—a key central government facility—into a near flood zone. Patients on stretchers, attendants, and medical staff were seen navigating through the waterlogged areas, highlighting the infrastructure vulnerabilities of even the national capital’s premier health institutions.

Drainage System Fails

According to sources, the drainage system failed to cope with the intensity of rainfall, leading to water accumulation in the basement and ground-floor sections. While hospital authorities began clearing the water shortly after the incident, the visuals raised serious questions about disaster preparedness in critical public health facilities. 

Sources within the hospital said that while efforts were made to pump out the water and mop the floors, the structural design and poor maintenance of the drainage system made the task difficult. The hospital administration, already under pressure due to high patient load, is now facing criticism for neglecting basic infrastructural needs.

Medical professionals also voiced concerns, stating that such conditions can lead to secondary infections and pose serious risks, especially in wards housing immunocompromised patients. "Standing water in medical facilities is not just a nuisance—it’s a breeding ground for bacteria and a health hazard in itself," said a senior doctor on the condition of anonymity.

This is not the first time such incidents have occurred during monsoon season in Delhi. Safdarjung, being one of the busiest hospitals in India, sees hundreds of patients daily, and any disruption severely impacts patient care and safety.

Health officials have yet to issue a formal statement, but the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is reportedly reviewing the matter.