Delhi rains: After late night showers caused severe traffic disruptions and waterlogging, IMD forecasts more rains today

The monsoon has been generous with the national capital, Delhi having received 20% excess rains (602.5 mm compared to the normal of 503.8 mm) since June 1. Representative of this trend, late-night rainstorms drenched various parts of the national capital, leading to waterlogged streets and significant traffic jams across multiple areas. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the downpour is expected to continue into Friday, causing further disruptions.

The minimum temperature recorded following the rain was 21.4°C, which is four notches below the seasonal average. Safdarjung, the city's primary weather station, recorded 29.6 mm of rainfall. Other locations saw varying amounts, with Ridge at 69.4 mm, Delhi University at 56.5 mm, Lodhi Road at 28.2 mm, and Palam at 18 mm in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 AM on Friday.

Waterlogging and traffic chaos

The rain between 2:30 AM and 5:30 AM left several roads submerged, paralysing movement across Delhi. The Delhi Traffic Police actively updated residents through social media, advising alternate routes and sharing images of the waterlogged streets.

Key traffic routes were severely affected, including NH-48, where waterlogging disrupted traffic from Dhaula Kuan to Mahipalpur. Roads such as Lala Lajpat Rai Marg, Outer Ring Road, Rohtak Road, and MB Road experienced similar problems, with overflow from sewers exacerbating the situation in certain areas.

The police also reported traffic jams on Guru Teg Bahadur Road, GTK Road, and Main Outer Ring Road near Peeragarhi due to waterlogging. The advisory emphasised avoiding Mundka and GTK Depot areas, where traffic was heavily impacted by both water and sewer overflow.

Weather forecast and warnings

The IMD has forecasted a generally cloudy sky with light to moderate rain throughout the day. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 30°C. With 96% humidity recorded in the city, residents are advised to prepare for continued discomfort due to weather conditions.

An "orange" alert has been issued by the IMD, advising citizens to brace for more severe weather over the weekend. The alert warns of potential disruptions in transportation services, including road, rail, and air, as well as possible power outages in some areas.

Additionally, the IMD has indicated that regions beyond Delhi, such as Himachal Pradesh and the northwestern part of India, may witness heavy rains and thunderstorms. Parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh are also expected to see heavy downpours over the next few days.

While the depression system currently near Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh is expected to bring temporary relief by moving northeastward, rains in Delhi-NCR and neighbouring states are predicted to persist for the next two to three days.

As Delhi reels under the impact of heavy monsoon rains, residents are advised to monitor weather updates and take necessary precautions, particularly in light of the IMD’s warnings. With more rain forecast, authorities continue to urge caution on the roads, especially in low-lying and waterlogged areas.