Delhi-NCR Deluged: Heavy Rainfall Causes Traffic Disruptions And Flight Diversions

On Wednesday evening, several areas in Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) experienced heavy showers, providing much-needed relief from the humid weather.

Impact of Rainfall: Waterlogging and Traffic Disruptions

The heavy rainfall caused significant waterlogging in various parts of Delhi-NCR, leading to traffic disruptions. Areas such as Lutyen’s Delhi, Kashmere Gate, and Rajinder Nagar were particularly affected, with widespread inundation reported, according to PTI.

Flight Diversions and Red Alert Issued by IMD

Due to the severe weather, at least ten flights were diverted from Delhi’s IGI airport. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for much of the capital and its surrounding areas until 9 p.m., indicating that action and heightened vigilance are required.

Weather Forecast and Temperature Trends

“Clouds have converged over Delhi from all four sectors. Widespread Light/Moderate Rainfall with isolated Intense to very intense Spell (3-5cm/hr) likely over Delhi during next 2 hours,” the IMD said in its latest update.

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Earlier, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecasted moderate rainfall and thunderstorms for North Delhi, Central Delhi, New Delhi, South Delhi, South-East Delhi, East Delhi, and other areas in the NCR. The weather agency has advised that the showers could lead to slippery roads, reduced visibility, traffic disruptions, and localized waterlogging in low-lying areas.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has urged officers to stay vigilant due to the heavy downpour affecting the city.

“Apart from ensuring minimum inconvenience to people in general, they are advised to specifically address issues at sites prone to waterlogging, including coaching centres,” he wrote on X.

In July, Delhi’s average maximum temperature was 35.8°C, just above the long-period average (LPA). However, with humidity levels exceeding 50% on most days, the Heat Index (HI) or ‘real feel’ reached 45.8°C, making it feel much warmer than the recorded maximum temperature, according to the IMD.

On Tuesday, Delhi reached its highest maximum temperature for the month this year, hitting 39.3°C, which was five degrees above the seasonal average. On Wednesday morning, the minimum temperature was recorded at 30.4°C, 3.3 degrees above the normal for this time of day. By 5:30 p.m., the humidity level was at 63%. According to the IMD, intermittent showers are expected to continue in the national capital until August 5.

Weather Forecast and Temperature Trends

Northwest India is expected to experience fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, particularly in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Over the next 4-5 days, scattered to widespread rain is also anticipated in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

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