Torrential Rain Hits Delhi-NCR, Disrupts Daily Life
New Delhi, August 3 – Residents of Delhi-NCR woke up to pounding rain on Sunday morning as the monsoon tightened its grip on the region. The downpour resulted in severe waterlogging, traffic snarls, and widespread flight delays, disrupting daily life across the National Capital Region.
According to FlightRadar, a real-time flight tracking platform, 98 departing flights and 27 arriving flights were delayed at Indira Gandhi International Airport, with at least three flights cancelled by mid-morning. The persistent showers also affected public transportation and major roadways.
Key Areas Affected by Waterlogging
Several prominent localities, including Connaught Place, Vijay Chowk, Minto Bridge, Sarojini Nagar, AIIMS, Janpath, and Lajpat Nagar, were submerged under water, resulting in long traffic jams and vehicle breakdowns. Rainfall also soaked Noida and Gurugram, where similar scenes of disruption were reported.
Although the downpour created travel woes, it brought temporary relief from the scorching summer. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature on Sunday settled at 33.7°C, which is 1.1 degrees below the seasonal average. The minimum temperature dropped to 25.7°C, also below the normal by 1.4 degrees.
Additionally, the humidity level peaked at 90% on Saturday, intensifying discomfort even as rainfall cooled surface temperatures.
Northeast Braces for More Rain, Flooding, and Landslides
While Delhi deals with waterlogging, northeastern states remain under a heavy rainfall warning. The IMD has issued alerts for Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh, all of which are facing the brunt of the monsoon this year.
In Himachal Pradesh, incessant rains have forced authorities to close 404 roads, including the strategically important Khab-Gramphu National Highway. Flash floods and landslides have damaged 196 water supply schemes and disrupted power in over 411 areas.
In Uttarakhand, a red alert has been sounded in six districts: Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, Bageshwar, and Udham Singh Nagar. Residents in landslide-prone and riverine regions have been advised to stay alert.
Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh is forecast to receive heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning over the next 24 hours. Districts such as Papum Pare, West Siang, East Kameng, Lower Siang, and Pakke Kessang have been put on high alert.
IMD Advises Caution as Monsoon Intensifies
The India Meteorological Department continues to monitor the evolving weather conditions closely. In a public advisory, the department urged citizens to avoid non-essential travel, stay indoors during heavy downpours, and keep emergency kits ready.
With more rainfall expected over the next 48 hours in both Delhi-NCR and the northeast, authorities are ramping up disaster preparedness. Emergency response teams have been placed on standby, and municipal bodies have initiated water drainage operations in vulnerable zones.