Delhi-NCR wakes up to heavy rain, IMD issues red alert

Indian Express

8 hours ago

Heavy rain lashed Delhi and parts of NCR Thursday morning, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert on Thursday.
According to IMD data, rain started around 2 am and continued well into the morning.
The areas that received the highest amount of rainfall till 8.30 am are Ayanagar (57.4 mm), Palam (49.4 mm), Mayur Vihar (17.5 mm) and Ridge (17.4mm).
As per the forecast, the city is expected to receive light to moderate rain during the day.
Thunderstorms and lightning, with wind speed of up to 40 kilometres per hour per hour, are expected in New Delhi, Southwest Delhi, South Delhi, Southeast Delhi.
A walkathon organised by the Delhi government from Rouse Avenue to Connaught Place ahead of the 79th Independence Day celebrations was cancelled due to the heavy rain.
Gurgaon, meanwhile, saw 44 mm of rain till 8 am, as per data shared by the district administration.
Neighbourhoods like Palam Vihar, Ashok Vihar Phase 3 and Sector 23A saw instances of moderate to heavy waterlogging.
'It is a very bad situation. The main roads and even the parks are totally inundated. And there is a health crisis now because the garbage lying in open plots is floating,' said Sector 23 Residents' Development and Welfare Association general secretary Bhawani Shankar Tripathy.
The garbage amidst the water-logging poses risks of water-borne and vector-borne diseases, he added, stating that it is a health crime by the civic body.
Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority individuals said gullies along all roads are being cleaned expeditiously, and additional pump sets will be deployed in areas the issue persists in.
A municipal corporation official said workers have been deployed in affected areas.
The minimum temperature in Delhi was recorded as 23.6 degrees Celsius, three degrees below normal.
Issuing a red alert IMD forecast the following impact and measures:
Impact expected:
– Localized flooding of roads, waterlogging in low lying areas and closure of underpasses.
-Occasional reduction in visibility due to heavy rainfall.
-Disruption of traffic in some areas due to water logging in roads leading to increased travel time.
-Traffic congestion and slippery roads due to heavy rain spell and water logging.
-Routine outdoor business/activity very likely to affect.
-Damage to plantation, horticulture and standing crops.
-Partial damage to vulnerable structures.
-Minor damage to kutcha houses/walls and huts.
Action suggested:
• Follow traffic advisories.
• Stay indoors, close windows & doors and avoid travel if possible.
• Take safe shelters; do not take shelter under trees.
• Do not touch electric open wires and avoid standing near electric poles.
• Immediately get out of water bodies.
• Keep away from all the objects that conduct electricity.