Umbrellas Up, Engines Down: Rain Turns Delhi into a Water Maze

Delhi woke up to a rainy Saturday morning as fresh rains lashed the city, prompting the India Meteorological Department to issue an orange alert in Southeast and Southwest Delhi. The rain brought relief from the heat but also caused massive waterlogging and traffic congestion in the capital.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Rainfall & Wind Gusts: Light to moderate rain was observed in East, West, South, and Southeast Delhi, with wind speeds ranging from 30–50 km/h. Thunderstorms and lightning should continue until the evening.

Traffic Congestion: Waterlogging brought major thoroughfares like ITO, Minto Bridge, Zakhira underpass, Dhaula Kuan, and PRAT Road in Sheikh Sarai to a standstill. Delhi Traffic Police issued a series of advisories asking people to avoid low-lying areas.

AQI & Humidity: The city's lowest temperature was 28.7°C—about a degree higher than normal—while the humidity was 72%. The air was "satisfactory" with an AQI of 86.

Monsoon Watch: The IMD had indicated that the monsoon could very well arrive today, but an official announcement awaited. An anti-cyclonic system had caused its delay, but present conditions indicate a breakthrough.

NCR Impact: Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad also experienced light showers. The IGI Airport did experience rain, but flight operations were not significantly affected.

 

When an orange alert is issued, individuals are requested to stay indoors as much as they can and prepare for future rain.

 

Sources: Moneycontrol, OneIndia, MSN New