Overnight downpour causes widespread waterlogging, traffic disruptions across Delhi-NCR

New Delhi: The national capital is experiencing one of the most intense periods of rainfall this monsoon season, resulting in significant waterlogging in various areas and causing major traffic disruptions throughout the Delhi-NCR region on Thursday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the entire national capital, warning of extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and intense showers. An orange alert was also issued for parts of Ghaziabad, Noida, Meerut, and Gurugram, where more heavy rainfall is expected during the day.

The overnight rain led to severe waterlogging and hours-long traffic congestion in several areas of Delhi-NCR. Gurugram was among the worst-affected cities, with waterlogged roads slowing vehicular movement and prompting several private companies to issue work-from-home advisories for employees.

According to the IMD, Mayur Vihar recorded the highest rainfall in Delhi, receiving 103 mm in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 a.m. Other major rainfall figures included Delhi University 90 mm, Mehrauli 86 mm, Pusa 83 mm, Lodhi Road 80 mm, Ridge 78 mm, Safdarjung 73 mm, Chhatarpur 72 mm, Palam 63 mm, Narayana 63 mm, Janakpuri 62 mm, Ayanagar 57 mm, Pragati Maidan 50 mm, Najafgarh 43 mm, Mungeshpur 41 mm, Jharoda Kalan 33 mm, and Jafarpur 6 mm.

In neighbouring Ghaziabad, Kamla Nehru Nagar recorded 164 mm of rainfall, while Hindon received 134 mm. Tanda in Gautam Buddha Nagar recorded 62 mm, while Gurugram’s NorthCap University and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) recorded 27 mm and 36 mm, respectively.

Several stretches across Delhi witnessed severe waterlogging, including Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, Shani Bazar Road in Sangam Vihar, Vikas Marg, and the stretch between Mayur Vihar Phase-1 Metro Station and Akshardham. Flooded roads and submerged potholes disrupted traffic and made commuting difficult for motorists.

A local resident told IANS, “As soon as we step out of our homes, the problems begin. Every street, intersection, and road is waterlogged. Vehicles are slipping on flooded roads, making commuting extremely difficult and unsafe.”

In Ghaziabad, heavy rainfall caused severe waterlogging in the Bhopura area, affecting traffic movement on the Mohan Nagar-Wazirabad Road. Waterlogging was also reported at the Vijay Nagar underpass, causing inconvenience to commuters travelling towards Vijay Nagar.

Neighbouring Gurugram also witnessed widespread waterlogging, with traffic moving at a crawl on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway service lane near Narsinghpur. Congestion was also reported from Basai, Umang Bhardwaj Chowk, Kadipur, Sector 10A, Sohna Road and several other major stretches.

The Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory stating that traffic movement on NH-24 near Ghazipur had been affected due to waterlogging caused by continuous rainfall since Wednesday. Officials from the Traffic Police and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are engaged in clearing the accumulated water.

Motorists travelling from Ghaziabad towards Delhi have been advised to avoid NH-24 and instead take the Sector-62 — Vasundhara-Buddh Chowk-Mohan Nagar route before entering Delhi through Seemapuri until traffic conditions improve.

IANS