The National Capital Region (NCR) and Delhi were lashed by heavy rainfall on Saturday morning, leading to severe waterlogging in many areas and disrupting daily life. The downpour, occurring on the auspicious occasion of Rakshabandhan, prompted the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for the city.
Widespread Flooding and Traffic Chaos
Commuters across Delhi-NCR faced major challenges as key roads and underpasses were inundated. Areas including Panchkuian Marg, RK Puram, Shastri Bhawan, Moti Bagh, Kidwai Nagar, Mathura Road, and the vicinity of Bharat Mandapam’s Gate No. 7 reported significant flooding. The sudden and intense spell of rain caused traffic snarls, making travel difficult for those celebrating the festival.
IMD Issues Red Alert and Forecasts More Showers
The IMD’s forecast indicates that heavy rainfall and thunderstorms will continue in Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad until August 14. The weather agency has warned that short, intense bursts of rain (30-100 mm) are likely, which could worsen waterlogging in low-lying zones. Gusty winds reaching up to 40 km/h are also expected.
Daytime temperatures are predicted to range between 32-34°C, while nighttime lows will be around 24-26°C. In neighboring Haryana, an orange alert has been issued for Palwal, Gurgaon, and Faridabad, signaling a high possibility of moderate to heavy rainfall with thunderstorms. The IMD took to X (formerly Twitter) to inform the public about the weather conditions, forecasting widespread moderate to heavy showers with thunderstorms and lightning across the entire Delhi-NCR region.
Air Travel Disrupted
Heavy rain also impacted flight services at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Data from flight tracking websites revealed over 100 flights were delayed, and at least four cancellations were reported.
IGI Airport issued an advisory, urging passengers to check their flight status with their respective airlines. The advisory stated, “As per the IMD forecast, Delhi is experiencing inclement weather conditions. However, operations are currently normal.” Major airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet also used social media to warn travelers about potential traffic congestion and to advise them to allow for extra time to reach the airport.
Relief from the Heat
Despite the travel disruptions, the rain brought much-needed relief from the oppressive heat and humidity that had been plaguing the region. The sudden drop in temperature was welcomed by residents. The IMD forecasts that scattered showers are likely to continue throughout the weekend, with temperatures in the coming days expected to range between 23°C and 34°C.
