Umbrellas Up, Wheels Down: Delhi’s Monsoon Throws Travel Plans Off Track

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Umbrellas Up, Wheels Down: Delhi’s Monsoon Throws Travel Plans Off Track
Delhi woke up to a watery mess on Saturday morning as heavy monsoon showers lashed the National Capital Region (NCR), leaving roads submerged, traffic snarled, and over 100 flights delayed. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the city, warning of continued rainfall and thunderstorms throughout the day, while commuters and travelers scrambled to adapt to the disruptions.

Red Alert and Rainfall Records

The IMD’s red alert came after overnight rainfall intensified early Saturday, flooding key stretches across Delhi. Safdarjung recorded 78.7 mm of rain in 24 hours, while Pragati Maidan saw a whopping 100.3 mm. Lodhi Road and Pusa weren’t spared either, logging 80.7 mm and 69 mm respectively.

The downpour coincided with Raksha Bandhan weekend, compounding travel woes for families hoping to reunite for the festival. The IMD has forecast more showers through the day, with temperatures ranging between 25°C and 33°C.

Flight Operations Hit Turbulence

Flight tracking data from Flightradar revealed that over 100 flights were delayed, with 13 inbound and 92 outbound flights affected at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). Airlines including IndiGo and SpiceJet issued advisories urging passengers to check flight status and allow extra travel time due to waterlogged roads and traffic congestion1.

Despite the chaos, IGIA maintained that operations were “currently normal,” with ground teams working to minimize disruption. However, passengers reported long delays in reaching the airport, with some taking over three hours to cover short distances due to traffic jams and flooded intersections5.

Traffic Nightmare Across the Capital

Waterlogging was reported in several key areas including Mathura Road, Ranjeet Nagar, Shastri Bhawan, R.K. Puram, Moti Bagh, and Kidwai Nagar1. The Zakhira Underpass was closed, and Delhi Traffic Police issued advisories urging commuters to avoid Old GT Road, GTK Depot, Jahangirpuri, and Adarsh Nagar.

Diversions were put in place around Azad Market Railway Underpass and Ram Bagh Road, with traffic affected on Rani Jhansi Road, Barfkhana, Pul Mithai, and Veer Banda Bairagi Marg. Metro services remained operational and were recommended as an alternative for smoother travel.

Wall Collapses and Rescue Operations

Delhi Fire Services received multiple calls about wall collapses due to the rain. In West Delhi’s Hari Nagar, a portion of a house wall gave way, prompting rescue operations with three fire tenders deployed on site.

The city’s aging infrastructure, combined with intense rainfall, continues to pose safety risks during monsoon season. Officials have urged residents to remain indoors unless necessary and to avoid low-lying areas prone to flooding.

Wider Weather Impact

The IMD also issued alerts for neighboring regions. Himachal Pradesh received an orange alert for August 11 and 12 in three districts, with a yellow alert for the rest of the state. Since June 20, over 200 people have died in rain-related incidents in Himachal, underscoring the severity of this year’s monsoon across North India5.

Social Media Buzz and Public Response

Social media was flooded with images and videos of submerged roads, stranded vehicles, and frustrated commuters. Hashtags like #DelhiRain, #Waterlogging, and #FlightDelay trended throughout the morning, with users sharing real-time updates and travel hacks.

Many expressed concern over the city’s drainage systems and questioned the preparedness of civic authorities. Others took a lighter tone, sharing memes and jokes about navigating Delhi’s “new canals.”

Sources: Outlook India, MSN, Indian Express, India Today, News18, Hindustan Times