Heavy rain lashes Delhi, Met issues orange alert for today

The national capital received heavy rainfall on Tuesday, bringing much respite from the scorching heat. However, following the intense showers for few hours, waterlogging and traffic snarls were witnessed at several parts of the city.

According to the weather agency, on Tuesday, Safdarjung recorded 37.8 mm of rain, Palam 21.8 mm, Lodhi Road 29.8 mm, Ridge 52.9 mm and Ayanagar the highest at 72.6 mm.

“The rainfall was triggered by a well-marked low-pressure area over the Gulf of Kutch, with troughs extending towards Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, drawing in moisture from both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal,” an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.

The IMD has issued the orange alert for Wednesday, forecasting moderate rainfall accompanied by gusty winds of up to 40 kmph.

Today, post the downpour, traffic snarls were witnessed at ITO, Mehrauli and Mukherjee Nagar. Several areas also reported also waterlogging.

Traffic cops took to social media and informed commuters about the routes and diversions. Per officials, five flights enroute to IGI airport were diverted due to the rain.

A senior traffic police official said that Zakhira Railway Underpass, Road No. 40, Chattarpur, Janakpuri and some other areas witnessed waterlogging.

Festive preparations were also hit, Ravana effigies in Tagore Garden collapsed due to rain, and the Arambagh Durga Puja pandal was flooded, forcing organisers to scramble for damage control once the downpour subsided.

Heavy rainfall caused severe waterlogging at the Lal Qila grounds, where the Lav Kush Ramlila is held.

Aartisans are repairing the Dasehra effigies for installation by Wednesday.

Arjun Kumar, a Dasehra committee member, said, “Although the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarana, and Meghanada suffered heavy damage due to the rain and organisers faced losses to the tune of lakhs, artisans immediately started repairing them and have nearly completed the work.”

Heavy rains, though welcomed for breaking the heat, have cast a shadow over Dasehra and Durga Puja celebrations in the capital.