The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Delhi and surrounding NCR areas for the next 24 hours following intense rainfall.
Key locations, including Parliament and Pant Marg, have been heavily impacted by the downpour, leading to severe traffic congestion and widespread waterlogging. Flights AI918 from Dubai, UK998 from Pune, and 6E882 from Mumbai have been diverted to Lucknow due to poor weather conditions and congestion at Delhi’s airports.
The IMD had previously forecast significant rain for Delhi on Wednesday, with conditions expected to persist until August 5. Flooding has been reported in several areas, including Lutyen’s Delhi, Kashmere Gate, and Rajinder Nagar. Residents are advised to stay indoors, secure windows and doors, and avoid unnecessary travel. It’s recommended to seek safe shelter and steer clear of areas with heavy tree cover.
The heavy rainfall on Wednesday evening led to substantial waterlogging across the national capital, significantly disrupting traffic. The Pragati Maidan observatory in central Delhi recorded an extraordinary 112.5 mm of rain in just one hour, according to the IMD’s Automatic Weather Station (AWS) network.
The traffic police have issued an advisory urging commuters to avoid certain roads affected by waterlogging. Traffic movement has been severely impacted on the carriageway from Moolchand to Chirag Delhi, both carriageways of Anuvrat Marg, and the Outer Ring Road from Chirag Delhi to Nehru Place, particularly under the Savitri flyover.
Further disruptions include waterlogging on Syama Prasad Mukherjee Marg at Chatta Rail Chowk, leading to traffic diversions from Chatta Rail red light and Lothian Road. Commuters traveling from NS Marg towards ISBT Kashmiri Gate are advised to use Kodia Pul and Mori Gate Boulevard Road.
Traffic has also been affected on Mahatma Gandhi Marg near Nigam Bodh Ghat, with diversions in place from Chandgi Ram Akhara. The police have provided alternative routes and diversions to help alleviate the impact of the waterlogging and traffic congestion.
