Traffic Snarls As Incessant Rainfall Disrupts Delhi, IMD Issues 'Orange' Alert

Incessant rainfall lashed several parts of Delhi and its adjoining NCR on Friday which resulted in waterlogged roads and massive traffic jams in several areas of the national capital.

According to Delhi Traffic Police, vehicular traffic was affected on several areas, including on NH48, Minto Road, MB Road near Sainik farm and Saket Metro Station. Several visuals were shared on social media platforms show people wading through knee-deep water in these areas.

Delhi Traffic Police shared several posts on X alerting the residents about traffic jams in parts of Delhi-NCR.

“Traffic is affected on MB Road in both the carriageways due to waterlogging near Sainik farm and Saket Metro Station. Traffic is affected on Mathura Road in the carriageway from Ashram towards Badarpur due to waterlogging near Madanpur Khadar red light,” one of the posts on X said.

Police have also issued advisory where they mentioned that due to waterlogging at Mundka, traffic was affected on Rohtak Road on both carriageways from Tikri Border to Peeragarhi and vice versa.

The Delhi’s Public Works Department (PWD) received 85 complaints regarding the waterlogging on Friday, while the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) received 29 complaints regarding waterlogging and 15 about Tree uprooting.

Commuters also complained on X about the traffic issues at several areas in the national capital. One of the commuters said that the traffic was heavy in front of Sankriti School, Embassy Area where he was stuck for around 45 minutes.

Other commuters stated that the traffic was massive on Delhi Gurgaon Road near Mahipalpur where vehicles were crawling, Behra Enclave, Paschim Vihar, Patel Nagar roundabout, from Sangam Vihar towards Badarpur, on Aurobindo Marg, on Najafgarh Phirni Road, on MG Road etc.

Flights Affected, Airlines Issue Advisory

IndiGo and SpiceJet on Friday evening said that flight schedules may get affected due to bad weather in the national capital while the Delhi airport saw diversion of several flights amid heavy showers.

“It’s pouring heavily in #Delhi, affecting flight schedules. If you’re planning to jet off, please keep a tab on your flight status… and plan ahead, as roads leading to the airport may be waterlogged,” IndiGo said in a post on X at 5.03 pm.

In a post on X at 5.12 pm, SpiceJet said that due to bad weather in Delhi, all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may get affected.

IMD Issues Orange Alert

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange’ alert and predicted heavy rainfall for the city. The IMD said in a bulletin, “Heavy rain at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. Thunderstorms/Lightning at isolated places throughout northwest India except Haryana.”

Due to the rain, the city’s primary weather station at Safdarjung recorded 29.6 mm of rainfall, while the Ridge station recorded 69.4 mm, Delhi University 56.5 mm, Lodhi Road 28.2 mm, Aya Nagar 19.5 mm and Palam 18 mm in the last 24 hours ending at 8. 30 am Friday, according to data shared by the weather department.

Delhi Surpasses Annual Rainfall Average

The national capital has exceeded both its annual and seasonal average rainfall in the early days of September, with total rainfall crossing the 1,000 mm mark—well above the normal level—while residents enjoyed the cleanest air of the year so far on Friday.

The city was under a yellow alert until Friday afternoon, which has now been upgraded to an orange alert, according to the weather department.

On Friday, the city recorded 54 mm of rainfall in Palam, while the primary weather station at Safdarjung recorded 30.9 mm of rainfall within three hours, from 2.30 to 5.30 pm.

With this, the capital’s total rainfall has reached 1,000 mm and the monsoon season is still active.

(With inputs from agencies)