Heavy rainfall wreaked havoc in Delhi-NCR on Wednesday evening, leading to severe waterlogging across most parts of the city and causing major traffic disruptions. Citizens were left stranded for hours as the downpour resulted in seven fatalities. Two individuals died in Delhi, three in Gurugram, and two in Greater Noida.
In a tragic incident, a woman and her child drowned after slipping into a waterlogged drain in Delhi. In Gurugram, three individuals were electrocuted after coming into contact with a high-tension wire amidst the heavy rain. Additionally, a wall collapse in Dadri area of Greater Noida claimed two lives.
The torrential downpour also affected air travel, with ten flights scheduled to land at Delhi airport being diverted. Eight flights were redirected to Jaipur and two to Lucknow. IndiGo announced ongoing delays in departures and arrivals, urging passengers to stay informed about their flight status.
Amidst the incessant rainfall, Delhi Education Minister Atishi declared the closure of schools in the national capital for Thursday to ensure the safety of students.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert, forecasting continued heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in Delhi till August 5. According to the latest IMD bulletin, no immediate relief from the rain chaos is expected.
The Safdarjung weather station recorded 79.2 mm of rainfall between 5.30 pm and 8.30 pm. Other areas such as Mayur Vihar recorded 119 mm of rain, Pusa 66.5 mm, Delhi University 77.5 mm, and the Palam observatory 43.7 mm. Despite the rain, Delhi’s maximum temperature during the day was recorded at 37.8 degrees Celsius.
In the Ghazipur area of east Delhi, a mother and her three-year-old son drowned after falling into a waterlogged drain while returning from a weekly market. The drain was under construction, and both bodies were recovered, with legal actions pending.
In north Delhi’s Sabzi Mandi area, a house collapsed due to the incessant rain, injuring one person. Traffic congestion delayed the arrival of five fire engines dispatched to the scene. Similarly, a wall collapse in Vasant Kunj injured a woman, and a wall of a private school in Daryaganj collapsed, damaging a nearby parked car.
The heavy rain submerged several key stretches of Delhi-NCR, causing major traffic jams. Lutyens’ Delhi and roads leading to Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad were particularly affected. In Old Rajinder Nagar, knee-deep water hampered the protests of students mourning the deaths of three UPSC aspirants due to flooding at a coaching institute basement. In Connaught Place, central Delhi, water entered multiple showrooms and restaurants.
Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory urging commuters to avoid certain roads and has been providing regular updates on the situation on social media.
The continuous rainfall prompted the weather department to include Delhi in its National Flash Flood Guidance Bulletin. Citizens have been advised to stay indoors, secure their homes, and avoid unnecessary travel to ensure safety during the ongoing weather conditions.
