(Image source from: Twitter.com/ANI)
Following heavy rain in Delhi, numerous houses collapsed, and one individual was found trapped in Sadar Bazar's Chandni Chowk. National capital reported converging clouds from all directions, leading to the diversion of around 10 flights, including one from Tokyo. Vehicles remained stranded on flooded roads as the city faced challenging weather conditions. Schools in Delhi will be closed the next day due to the significant rainfall. Waterlogging in different zones triggered recollections of a tragic incident where three students lost their lives in a flooded coaching centre basement. In response, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena instructed all officials to be vigilant and tackle waterlogging in vulnerable areas, particularly near coaching centres.
Have cautioned all officers to remain alert in light of the ongoing 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.
— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) July 31, 2024
#WATCH | Delhi: A house collapsed in the Sabzi Mandi area following heavy rainfall. Further details awaited. (31.07) pic.twitter.com/MWshfGtMpn
— ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2024
In view of the current heavy rain in Delhi, Mr Saxena has issued a warning via social media, urging authorities to mitigate inconvenience overall and focus on problem areas susceptible to waterlogging, such as coaching centers. Recent intense rain has led to severe waterlogging in areas like ITO junction, Connaught Place, Minto Road, and the Moti Bagh flyover, resulting in lengthy traffic jams. The closure of underpasses, like the one at Minto Bridge, has been necessary, while videos from Chandni Chowk demonstrate shopkeepers dealing with flooded goods. Falling trees have also been reported across various parts of the city. The India Meteorological Office forecasted light to moderate rainfall in Delhi around 7 pm on Wednesday, with potential for brief intense downpours. The convergence of clouds from all four directions indicates the likelihood of widespread light to moderate rainfall, with isolated episodes of intense to very intense rain, over the next two hours. Notably, Mayur Vihar in East Delhi experienced 119 mm of rain from 8.30 am to 8.
#WATCH | Delhi: Waterlogging witnessed in several parts of the national capital after heavy rainfall; visuals from outside Civic Center near Ramlila Maidan. pic.twitter.com/19UhRO02ag
— ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2024
The National Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting in Noida measured a significant amount of rain. Airlines like Air India, Vistara, IndiGo, and SpiceJet have shared warnings about flight diversions and recommended passengers to arrive early and verify their flight status. An Air India flight initially to Delhi from Tokyo was rerouted to Jaipur.
