Delhi Deluge: Torrential Downpour Brings City to Standstill

A severe downpour on Wednesday night caused major disruptions in Delhi, leading to waterlogged streets, diverted flights, house collapses, and heavy traffic jams. The weather office issued a 'red warning,' urging residents to stay indoors. The IMD reported significant rainfall at various stations, and officials are on alert to manage the situation.

Heavy rainfall in Delhi on Wednesday evening brought the national capital to a screeching halt, inundating large parts of the city, causing major traffic jams, and leaving people stranded as roads turned into rivers.

The torrential downpour triggered the weather office's highest 'red' warning. The National Flash Flood Guidance Bulletin also listed Delhi among its 'areas of concern.' Authorities advised people to remain indoors, secure windows and doors, and avoid unnecessary travel.

At least 10 flights scheduled to land at the Delhi airport were diverted -- eight to Jaipur and two to Lucknow -- due to inclement weather. Airlines also cautioned about the possibility of further flight disruptions.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city's primary weather station Safdarjung recorded 79.2 mm of rain between 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm. Other areas saw even more significant downpours, such as Mayur Vihar with 119 mm and Delhi University with 77.5 mm.

The heavy rainfall also led to a house collapse in north Delhi's Sabji Mandi area. The Delhi Fire Services dispatched five fire tenders to the scene.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena urged officers to remain on alert and ensure minimal inconvenience to citizens, particularly addressing waterlogging issues at vulnerable sites, including coaching centers.

Widespread waterlogging prompted the traffic police to issue an advisory recommending commuters avoid certain roads. Visuals showed waterlogged streets at Connaught Place and vehicles struggling through water in areas like Qutub Minar in south Delhi.

Multiple areas, including Lutyens' Delhi, Kashmere Gate, Karol Bagh, and Pragati Maidan, were severely affected by waterlogging. Old Rajinder Nagar, where students were protesting the deaths of three UPSC aspirants due to flooding, also faced significant water accumulation.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi reported receiving several complaints about waterlogging and fallen trees from different parts of the city. The IMD has predicted ongoing wet conditions in Delhi until August 5.

(With inputs from agencies.)