Heavy rainfall triggers traffic snarls, flight diversions in Delhi-NCR

Several parts of Delhi and its adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) witnessed heavy spells of showers on Wednesday evening, bringing much-needed relief from the humid weather.
The heavy rainfall triggered severe waterlogging in parts of Delhi-NCR, adversely affecting traffic. Multiple areas, including Lutyen’s Delhi, Kashmere Gate and Rajinder Nagar, among others, were inundated following the heavy rain, according to PTI.
At least ten flights were diverted from Delhi’s IGI airport due to the bad weather.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for most parts of the capital and its adjoining areas until 9pm. A ‘red’ warning calls for action and vigilance.
“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.
Prior to that, it predicted moderate rainfall and thunderstorms in North Delhi, Central Delhi, New Delhi, South Delhi, South-East Delhi, East Delhi and other parts of the NCR.
The weather agency has advised that the showers are likely to cause slippery roads, low visibility, disruption in traffic and localised water logging in low-lying areas.
Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena said he cautioned officers to remain alert in light of the 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,” he wrote on X.
Delhi’s average maximum temperature in July was 35.8°C, slightly above the long-period average (LPA). However, high humidity levels – over 50% on most days in July – led to a Heat Index (HI) or ‘real feel’ of 45.8°C, making it feel significantly warmer than the recorded maximum temperature, according to IMD.

On Tuesday, Delhi recorded its highest maximum temperature for the month this year, with the mercury settling at 39.3 degrees Celsius, five notches above the season’s normal.
On Wednesday morning, thecity recorded a minimum temperature of 30.4 degrees Celsius, 3.3 notches above the season’s normal in the morning. The humidity level stood at 63% at 5.30pm.
According to the IMD, intermittent showers are likely in the national capital till August 5.
Northwest India is likely to see fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning over places like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Scattered to widespread rain is likely over Jammu-Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh over the next 4-5 days.