NEW DELHI: Delhi experienced heavy rains and thunderstorms on Friday, offering citizens relief from the ongoing humid weather. The sudden downpour, however, led to waterlogging and severe traffic disruptions throughout the city.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted more rainfall in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) in the next two hours, impacting areas such as Burari, Model Town, and several others.
IMD noted that Burari, Model Town, Karawal Nagar, Azadpur, Delhi University, Civil Lines, Dilshad Garden, Seemapuri, Rajouri Garden, and Patel Nagar have been seeing light to moderate rainfall with light thunderstorms and lightning since morning. Other areas like Narela, Alipur, Badli, Pitampura, and Punjabi Bagh also reported light rainfall.
Satellite images have shown convective clouds over South Haryana, Delhi NCR, and Uttar Pradesh. These conditions indicate the likelihood of light to moderate rainfall with intense spells, isolated thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in these regions.
The IMD has warned of the impacts of such weather in the Delhi-NCR area, including localized flooding of roads, waterlogging in low-lying regions, closure of underpasses, and significant traffic disruptions due to waterlogged roads, which could increase travel time.
Delhi traffic police have issued an advisory on social media regarding traffic disruptions on Syama Prasad Mukherjee Marg due to waterlogging at Chatta Rail Chowk.
“Traffic disruption on Syama Prasad Mukherjee Marg due to water logging at Chatta Rail Chowk,” stated the advisory notice by traffic police.
They also advised commuters of diversion points at Chatta Rail Red Light and Lothian Road, and suggested alternative routes.
“Commuters coming from NS Marg towards ISBT Kashmiri Gate have been advised to take a left turn from Chatta Rail Red Light and travel along Kodia Pul–ODRS Pul Mithai–Mori Gate Boulevard Road to reach ISBT Kashmiri Gate,” read the advisory notice.
Similarly, for those coming from ISBT towards NS Marg, it recommended the route of ISBT Kashmiri Gate Boulevard Road–Mori Gate–Pul Duffrin ODRS Kodia Pul–NS Marg.
Additionally, commuters traveling from Rajouri Garden towards Brar Square were asked to find alternatives due to an overturned HGV at Naraina Flyover, affecting traffic on Ring Road in the carriageway.
In the last 24 hours, Delhi University recorded the highest rainfall at 89.5 mm, followed by IGNOU at 34.5 mm. Other notable areas were Pitampura, Narayana, and Pushpa Vihar with 8.5 mm each, and Pragati Maidan with 6.5 mm of rain.
