Delhi experienced a dramatic downpour, recording over 100 millimetres of rainfall within just one hour, which led to significant waterlogging across various areas of the national capital. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) responded by issuing a ‘red’ warning, indicating severe weather conditions. The National Flash Flood Guidance Bulletin listed Delhi among its ‘areas of concern.’
The heavy rainfall was particularly notable at the Pragati Maidan observatory, which registered 112.5 mm of rain in that hour. Such extreme precipitation in a short time frame is classified by the IMD as a “cloud burst.” Despite the severity of the situation, no official statement from weather officials had been released immediately.
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In light of the torrential downpour, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor took to X to alert officers, emphasising the need for heightened vigilance. He urged them to minimise public inconvenience and specifically address issues in waterlogging-prone areas, including coaching centres.
According to the IMD’s nowcast, widespread light to moderate rainfall is expected to continue in Delhi for the next couple of hours, accompanied by thunderstorms and winds reaching speeds of 50 kilometres per hour in isolated areas. The IMD advised residents to stay indoors, secure windows and doors, and avoid unnecessary travel. Its advisory further recommended seeking safe shelter and avoiding tree cover to mitigate risks associated with the severe weather.
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The heavy rain caused significant inundation in multiple regions, including Lutyens’ Delhi, Kashmere Gate, and Rajinder Nagar. In visuals from the Qutub Minar area in south Delhi, vehicles were seen navigating through flooded roads, while traffic police worked to manage the flow of traffic amidst the chaos.
Additionally, the traffic police have issued alerts regarding affected routes and advised residents to plan their journeys carefully. Prior to the rainfall, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. The day before, the city experienced its hottest day of the month, with temperatures peaking at 39.3 degrees Celsius, significantly above the normal range.
Humidity levels were reported at 63 percent by 5:30 pm, with a minimum temperature of 30.4 degrees Celsius, which was 3.3 degrees above normal. The IMD has forecasted a continuation of wet weather in the city until August 5.
Delhi airport sees 10 flight diversions due to bad weather
At least 10 flights scheduled to land at Delhi’s airport were diverted on Wednesday evening due to heavy rainfall in the national capital. An official reported that the diversions occurred after 7:30 PM, with eight flights redirected to Jaipur and two to Lucknow.
The downpour led to significant waterlogging and traffic congestion across various areas of the city. Airlines took to the social media platform X to inform passengers about potential disruptions.
Vistara announced that flight UK998 from Pune to Delhi had been diverted to Lucknow due to adverse weather conditions at the Delhi airport. Similarly, Air India advised travelers that flights to and from Delhi might be impacted by the severe weather and urged guests to allow extra time for their journeys due to expected delays from slow-moving traffic and waterlogged roads.
SpiceJet also warned that all departures and arrivals could be affected by the heavy rain. IndiGo added a light-hearted note, humorously announcing on X that the “rain gods” had decided to bless Delhi with rainfall and urged passengers to check their flight status for any updates. PTI
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