Showers submerge several parts of Delhi
NEW DELHI: Heavy rains pounded several parts of the national Capital on Friday, following heavy overcast conditions that had plunged the city into near darkness in the afternoon, prompting vehicles to ply with headlights on and traffic slowing down to a crawl in other parts.
According to an official of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), medium to heavy rains were recorded in various parts of the city. Many places witnessed severe waterlogging, including the Delhi Secretariat, as a result of the heavy rains.
An IMD official said according to the Safdarjung observatory, the recordings of which are considered official figures for Delhi, the city received 52.4 mm of rain between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm.
The Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge and Ayanagar observatories recorded 14.2 mm, 44.2 mm, 118.4 mm and 71.4 mm of rain respectively during the said period.
According to the IMD, the day's minimum temperature was recorded at 27.8 degree Celsius, a notch above the season's average, while humidity level recorded at 8.30 am was 74 per cent.
The weatherman has predicted more rains in parts of the city in the days to come.
'The maximum temperature is expected to settle at around 34 degrees Celsius,' the IMD official added.
On Thursday, the minimum temperature was 28.6 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature was 37.8 degrees Celsius.
These showers are expected to continue for at least the next four to five days.
However, weather forecasting company Skymet Weather ruled out any possibility of heavy showers during this time. It said that only a short spell of intense showers can be anticipated, adding that the weather would remain cloudy and comfortable for the next few days.
As a result, Delhiites are bound to get much-needed respite from the prevailing warm and humid weather.
In terms of waterlogging, The worst affected area of Delhi were Minto Road where many DTC buses were seen half submerged in brown, muddy water.
Other areas severely waterlogged due to the heavy downpour included Airport road, Mathura road from Delhi Zoo to Sher Shah Suri road (at around Purana Quila), Moolchand underpass, bear Chattarpur Metro station, Baba Khadak Singh marg (both the carriageways) under Defence Colony flyover, and the area near Shadipur Metro station.
Waterlogging was reported under the AIIMS flyover, Rao Tularam flyover, Mahipalpur road near Ryan Public School, Munirka, Kishangarh Vasant Kunj, and the area near Delhi Cantonment flyover.
Motorists were stuck in traffic from Karol Bagh to Zakhira and Zakhira to Anand Parbat due to waterlogging near gali no-10 Anand Parbat on Rohtak road. Delhi Traffic Police had a tough day managing the traffic.
Waterlogging was also reported at Lawrence Road Industrial area, IGNOU crossing, near GTK bus depot and near Jahangirpuri Metro station.
Some trees also fell amidst the heavy rains, including near the water tank in Ashok Vihar and Mahipalpur Andheria mod, where traffic snarls were reported.
'Following heavy rains, a total of 57 calls of waterlogging were received from various parts of the city, at the Delhi Traffic Police Control Room. Civic agencies were simultaneously informed through hotline to pump out water from the affected areas. Six calls relating to falling of trees have also been received. Around 2,500 Traffic Police personnel have been deployed on field to regulate traffic," said Arun Kampani, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic).
