Heavy rain in Delhi-NCR triggers waterlogging, traffic disruptions; IMD issues red alert

Indian Express

5 days ago

Overnight rain lashed Delhi-NCR from Friday night into Saturday morning, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert early Saturday.
The first red alert was sounded at 6.20 am, followed by another at 7 am. 'Light to moderate rainfall occurring over most parts of Delhi is likely to continue during the next two hours, with the possibility of intense spells over eastern and central Delhi,' IMD officials said.
'Moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied with moderate thunderstorm and lightning (30-40 km/h gusty winds) is very likely to occur at entire Delhi and NCR, Meham, Sonipat, Rohtak, Kharkhoda, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Mattanhail, Jhajjar, Farukhnagar, Kosali, Mahendargarh, Sohana, Rewari, Palwal, Narnaul, Bawal, Nuh, Aurangabad, Hodal (Haryana), Bhiwari, Tizara (Rajasthan),' read the alert valid up to 10 am.
The rain began late Friday night, with the IMD upgrading alerts through the early hours — from a yellow alert in most of Delhi-NCR till 2.30 am, to an orange alert in East Delhi around 5.30 am, before escalating to red.
By 8.30 am Saturday, Safdarjung, which is representative of the city, recorded 78.7 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours, while Pragati Maidan recorded 100.3 mm. Lodhi Road and Pusa recorded 80.7 mm and 69 mm rainfall, respectively.
In an advisory, the IMD warned of potential waterlogging, traffic congestion, and reduced visibility, which could extend travel time by up to 30 minutes. It also cautioned residents against standing near weak structures.
Significant rainfall was also reported in parts of Punjab and Uttarkashi, which had seen a flash flood a few days ago.
For the week ahead, the IMD issued no further alerts but forecast very light to light rain with thunderstorms over the next six days. On August 13, one or two spells of light to moderate rain are expected, followed by a high chance of showers or thunderstorms on the morning of August 14.
Independence Day is likely to see partly cloudy skies with the possibility of light rain or thunderstorms, bringing temperatures down to 22 to 33 degrees Celsius, several degrees below the season's normal of 26 to 34 degrees Celsius.
As per the IMD's long-period average, the month's normal rainfall is 233.1 mm and it has already received 118 mm. On Saturday morning from 5.30 to 8.30 am, Safdarjung alone logged 49.6 mm rainfall.
Delhi experienced above-normal rainfall this July, receiving 259.3 mm compared to the normal 209.7 mm.