Rain floods roads, disrupts flights; brings heat relief

The Hindu

19 hours ago

NEW DELHI
Pre-monsoon showers lashed the national capital on Tuesday, leading to widespread waterlogging, traffic snarls, and flight disruptions.
As heavy showers drenched large parts of the city, 12 flights were diverted at Delhi airport between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. due to adverse weather conditions, according to an official. Several low-lying areas were inundated, causing significant delays and commuter woes during peak hours.
Water woes
Waterlogging was reported at multiple stretches, including the Zakhira underpass, Delhi Cantonment, Pul Prahladpur, Najafgarh Road, and Rohtak Road, affecting traffic movement, according to a senior Delhi Police officer.
The Public Works Department received over 50 complaints related to water accumulation. Recurring issues were flagged at the Zakhira underpass, the underpass at Terminal T1, and near the Hanuman Mandir. Other severely affected areas included the Mundka metro station, the Bhera underpass, and Punjabi Bagh. Officials confirmed that Minto Bridge, the infamous flooding hotspot, remained unaffected this time.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued two red alerts at 3.30 p.m. and again at 5.30 p.m., warning of moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds reaching speeds of up to 80 km/hr.
Delhi's Safdarjung station, the city's representative observatory, recorded 10.4 mm of rain between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. In contrast, Pusa logged 40.5 mm, and Palam received 37.2 mm during the same window.
The rain brought some relief from the heat. The maximum temperature at Safdarjung was 36.2 degrees Celsius, which is 2.6 degrees below normal, while the minimum was 28 degrees Celsius, marginally above normal.
More rain ahead
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Wednesday, predicting light to moderate rainfall with gusty winds up to 60 km/hr. The maximum temperature is expected to range between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius.
Rainfall is expected to continue daily till June 23, with maximum temperatures remaining below 38 degrees Celsius throughout the week.
In an advisory issued for Wednesday, the IMD urged residents to check traffic congestion before leaving for their destination. 'Follow any traffic advisories that are issued. Avoid going to areas that face waterlogging problem often. Stay away from power lines or electrical wires, unplug electrical and electronic appliances. Immediately get out of water bodies. Keep away from all the objects that conduct electricity,' it said.
The Air Quality Index on Tuesday stood at 104, placing it in the 'moderate' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia alleged that every Delhiite is fed up with the government. 'Exorbitant school fee hikes, endless power cuts in this heat, the poor are being evicted from their jhuggis, and now the city has drowned in one spell of rain. Why is Delhi still so helpless under a 4-engine BJP government?' he posted on X.