Several houses collapsed in parts of Delhi, and one person was reported trapped in Chandni Chowk's Sadar Bazar after heavy rain on Wednesday evening. The weather office indicated that clouds have converged over the city "from all four sectors," leading to the diversion of at least 10 flights headed to Delhi, including one from Tokyo. Vehicles were also stranded on flooded roads in some areas.
Schools closed due to severe weather
The Delhi government announced the closure of all schools on Thursday in response to the severe weather conditions. "In light of very heavy rainfall this evening and the forecast of heavy rainfall tomorrow, all schools—government and private—will remain closed tomorrow," Education Minister Atishi stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Waterlogging and safety concerns
Waterlogging was reported in several locations, reviving memories of the tragic flooding at a coaching centre in Rajinder Nagar on Saturday, where three students lost their lives. The road on which the coaching centre is located has flooded again, with visuals showing people wading through waist-deep water. Delhi recorded more than 100 millimetres of rainfall in one hour, leading to widespread waterlogging and disruption across the national capital. The IMD issued a 'red' warning due to the extreme weather.
Emergency response measures
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has directed all officers to stay vigilant and address waterlogging issues, particularly in areas with coaching centres. “Have cautioned all officers to remain alert in light of the ongoing heavy downpour in Delhi. Apart from ensuring minimum inconvenience to people in general, they are advised to specifically address issues at sites prone to waterlogging, including coaching centres,” Saxena said in a social media post.
Major areas affected
Heavy waterlogging and long traffic jams were reported at the Income Tax Office (ITO) junction, Connaught Place, Minto Road, and the Moti Bagh flyover. The underpass at Minto Bridge was among several that were shut, and videos from Chandni Chowk showed shopkeepers' goods floating in accumulated water. Reports of fallen trees have also emerged from various parts of the city.
IMD issues warning and advisory
According to the IMD's Automatic Weather Station network, the Pragati Maidan observatory in central Delhi recorded 112.5 mm of rainfall in one hour, which qualifies as a "cloud burst." The National Flash Flood Guidance Bulletin also included Delhi as an 'area of concern'.
Lt Governor's cautionary measures
Delhi Lieutenant Governor advised officials to stay alert and address waterlogging issues promptly, especially in vulnerable areas like coaching centres. The IMD nowcast predicts widespread light to moderate rainfall over the next two hours, with potential thunderstorms, lightning, and winds reaching 50 km/h.
Public safety advisory
The IMD urged residents to stay indoors, secure windows and doors, and avoid unnecessary travel. A 'red' warning was issued, calling for immediate action and vigilance.
Impact on traffic and daily life
Multiple areas, including Lutyen's Delhi, Kashmere Gate, and Rajinder Nagar, were severely affected by waterlogging. South Delhi's Qutub Minar area saw vehicles navigating flooded roads while traffic police managed the situation. Alerts were issued about affected routes, urging people to plan their journeys accordingly.
Temperature and humidity levels
The national capital recorded a maximum temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, with humidity levels at 63% at 5:30 pm. On Tuesday, Delhi experienced its highest maximum temperature for the month, reaching 39.3 degrees Celsius, five degrees above normal. The minimum temperature on Wednesday morning was 30.4 degrees Celsius, 3.3 degrees above normal.
Forecast
The IMD has predicted a continuation of the wet spell until August 5.
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