Delhi-NCR Heavy Rain: Red Alert, Traffic Jams, Waterlogging

Heavy Rain Causes Chaos in Delhi-NCR: Red Alert Issued

Delhi-NCR experienced severe weather on Wednesday evening, with relentless rainfall causing widespread disruptions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert as the region was pummeled by heavy rain, resulting in significant waterlogging and traffic jams.

Traffic Disruptions and Waterlogging in Delhi-NCR

The heavy downpour led to extensive waterlogging in several parts of Delhi-NCR. Key roads, including the Delhi-Noida Expressway and Mathura Road, were severely affected. Notable locations like ITO, AIIMS, and Sarai Kale Khan saw substantial traffic delays due to water accumulation. Vehicles faced long queues and were often stuck in standstill traffic.

The Pragati Maidan observatory in central Delhi recorded 112.5 mm of rain within just one hour. Such intense rainfall is typically categorized as a ‘cloudburst,’ although official confirmation is pending. The National Flash Flood Guidance Bulletin has included Delhi in its ‘areas of concern’ list.

Red Alert and Ongoing Rain Forecast

The IMD has issued a red alert for Delhi-NCR, forecasting continued heavy rain and thunderstorms. The forecast predicts moderate to heavy rain across Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad. The convergence of clouds over Delhi from all directions is expected to lead to further precipitation. Wind speeds are forecasted to reach 30-50 km/h.

“The coming hours will see moderate to heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning across various Delhi-NCR regions,” the IMD noted in its evening update. Areas affected include North Delhi, Central Delhi, South Delhi, and East Delhi.

Impact on Flights and Commuters

The adverse weather conditions also impacted air travel. Between 7:30 PM and 8:00 PM, ten flights were diverted from Delhi’s airport due to the severe weather. Eight flights were redirected to Jaipur, and two to Lucknow.

In addition to the airport disruptions, major roads experienced significant traffic issues. Traffic was disrupted on the carriageway from Moolchand towards Chirag Delhi and on both sides of Anuvrat Marg. Outer Ring Road faced issues, particularly under the Savitri flyover, and other critical areas like Chatta Rail Chowk and Syama Prasad Mukherjee Marg were also affected.

Local Government Response

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has instructed officials to remain vigilant and address waterlogging issues, particularly in prone areas. “Efforts should be made to minimize public inconvenience and manage waterlogging, especially around coaching centers,” he emphasized.

Delhi Minister Atishi stated that the Municipal Corporation and other agencies are actively working to mitigate the situation. The severe flooding in Old Rajinder Nagar resulted in the tragic deaths of three IAS aspirants trapped in a basement, sparking protests from students standing in thigh-deep water.

Waterlogging and Traffic Management Efforts

The stormwater drains were overwhelmed, causing water to flood streets across various locations, including ITO, RK Puram, and Janpath. Noida and Gurugram also reported significant waterlogging, affecting areas such as Gaur City and Film City in Noida and Subhash Nagar in Gurugram.

The IMD has forecasted that the rainy weather will persist until August 5, with continued heavy showers expected across Delhi-NCR and surrounding areas, including Panipat, Bhiwani, and Meerut.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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