New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) The national capital on Friday recorded its first significant spell of rainfall in September, as heavy rain inundated several stretches, bringing traffic to a crawl in many parts of Delhi.
People stepping out to celebrate Janmashtami were caught unaware by the sudden spell of rain, with raincoats and umbrellas dotting the streets as many rushed for shelter to escape the heavy showers.
Palam received 75.6 mm of rain between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm, the highest among the city’s weather stations, followed by Safdarjung (32.6 mm), Lodhi Road (34.6 mm), Ridge (20 mm) and Ayanagar (12 mm), according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Heavy waterlogging was reported near the Indira Gandhi International Airport, including at the Terminal 3 underpass and near the terminal gates, leaving commuters navigating flooded stretches as they tried to reach the airport.
Visuals from Mahipalpur showed children playing in waterlogged stretches, while Vasant Kunj, Mahipalpur and Mehrauli emerged as the other inundated hotspots.
Several other parts of the city, including Maulana Azad Road, South Moti Bagh Metro station, Akbar Road, Kali Bari Marg, Basant Gaon and Subroto Park, were inundated following the heavy showers.
The underpass connecting the airport with Vasant Kunj was completely waterlogged.
Parts of Lutyens’ Delhi also witnessed waterlogging, including Connaught Place, slowing vehicular movement in the heart of the city.
Heavy traffic and slow vehicular movement were reported across Delhi, with Subroto Park witnessing bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Waterlogging affected traffic movement in the low-lying areas and locations vulnerable to flooding during intense spells of rain, including the Pul Prahladpur, Zakhira and Minto Bridge underpasses, as well as stretches around Utsav Park in Patparganj.
Waterlogging was also reported in parts of Sadar Bazar, Kamla Nagar, ITO and Mathura Road.
A tree fell near the Gitanjali red light on the road from the Malviya Nagar Metro Station towards Badarpur, blocking the carriageway and affecting vehicular movement, Delhi Traffic Police said.
The traffic police have advised commuters to avoid the stretch and take an alternate route via MB Road to prevent inconvenience and delays.
A squall accompanied by 7 mm of rainfall was reported at Delhi airport early Friday, which lasted two minutes, during which the wind speed reached 76 kmph and visibility dropped to 600 metres, the IMD said.
According to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), only one waterlogging complaint was received between 3 pm and 6 pm, from the south-west zone.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) also received one waterlogging complaint, besides four complaints related to power outage.
Safdarjung, Lodhi Road, Ridge and Ayanagar did not record any rainfall in the 24 hours till 8.30 am on Friday, while Palam received trace rainfall, according to the IMD.
Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 35.1 degrees Celsius on Friday, Palam 32 degrees, Lodhi Road 33.8 degrees, Ridge 34 degrees, while Ayanagar recorded a high of 33.6 degrees Celsius, all 0-2 degrees within the season’s normal.
The minimum temperature at Safdarjung was 28.2 degrees Celsius, Palam recorded a low of 25.5 degrees, Lodhi Road 27.6 degrees, Ridge 23.7 degrees, while Ayanagar reported a minimum of 27 degrees Celsius, according to the IMD.
Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) was ‘satisfactory’ at 71, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.
The CPCB classifies a reading between 0 and 50 as ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’ and 401 and 500 as ‘severe’. PTI SGV ARI ARI
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