Heavy rains bring Delhi to its knees; waterlogging, traffic woes for people

New Delhi, Jul 11: Heavy rains lashed Delhi for the third consecutive day today with the national capital posting the season's highest rainfall that caused waterlogging and traffic snarls in many areas throwing normal life out of gear.

The situation is likely to continue as the weatherman has predicted more rains in the next two days.

The city has received 147.8 mm of rainfall since yesterday morning, and continuous showers also led to a further fall in mercury. The maximum temperature today settled at 26.5 degrees Celsius, nine notches below the season's average and the lowest for July in the last four decades. "Delhi has received 147.8 mm rainfall, the highest of the season till now.

However, no record has been broken," Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Director, B P Yadav said. Though the minimum temperature, which settled at 23 degrees Celsius, four notches below the normal, provided some succour to the residents, the humidity on the higher side, recorded at 100 per cent, added to their woes. On the lower side, humidity was registered at 57 per cent.

As per the forecast for next two days, "The skies will be generally cloudy. Intermittent rain and thundershower would occur in many areas. Heavy to very heavy showers may happen at few places during the next 48 hours." "The maximum and minimum temperatures tomorrow are likely to settle at 26 degrees Celsius and 23 degrees Celsius respectively," a MeT department official said.

The Safdarjung observatory, the reading of which is considered the official figure for the city, received 147.8 mm rainfall till 5.30 pm whereas areas under Palam, Ridge, Ayanagar and Lodhi road recorded 162.4 mm, 120.8 mm, 118.5 mm and 155.4 mm rainfall respectively, during the same period.

Waterlogging incidents were reported from several areas across the national capital, causing inconvenience to residents and commuters. South Delhi saw maximum such cases at areas including Najafgarh, Shyam Vihar, Palam Extension, Kakrola, Lajpat Nagar, C R Park, Kalkaji.

Pedestrians and commuters were seen wading through ankle-deep water at many locations in the city. Delhi has received 147.8 mm rainfall, the highest of the season till now, the MeT department said. According to South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) waterlogging took place at over 40 spots in areas under its jurisdiction.

In north Delhi, over 20 spots were identified by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation including Rana Pratap Bagh, Paharganj, Rohini and Pitampura, some of which were later attended to by the NDMC. East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) also reported waterlogging in Mayur Vihar Ph-III and Geeta Colony.

Traffic jams were reported from many parts of the city, including Dhaula Kuan, Ashram, Nehru Place, Panchsheel, Mahipalpur near the Indira Gandhi International airport and ITO junction, according to Delhi Traffic Police.

PTI