Rainfall brings down temperature but causes widespread waterlogging in Delhi

Anshita Mehra

New Delhi, July 22

Delhi experienced a dramatic weather shift on Monday afternoon as heavy rain lashed several parts of the city, providing relief from the prolonged humid conditions. However, the downpour led to widespread waterlogging and several traffic jams, creating challenges to motorists.

Residents who woke up to a humid morning were surprised by the rainfall, which led to a notable drop in temperature.

The India Meteorological Department recorded the maximum temperature at 36.4°C and the minimum at 29.2°C, with rainfall amounting to 31.1 mm. Pitampura recorded the highest rainfall at 48.5 mm, while the Delhi University area received 39.5 mm of rainfall.

Monday’s temperature

Max: 36.4°C

Min: 29.2°C

Despite relief from the heat, the rainfall brought severe waterlogging and traffic congestion. The Delhi Traffic Police issued several alerts, including one that stated, “Traffic is affected on the GTK Road in the carriageway from Azadpur towards Mubarak Chowk and vice-versa due to waterlogging on the road.” Another alert mentioned traffic disruptions on the New Rohtak road due to waterlogging in the Anand Parbat area.

Areas on the outskirts, such as Najafgarh, faced waterlogging. Several underpasses, including Kishanganj, were submerged, and major intersections like ITO were waterlogged, causing traffic to come to a standstill.

Aparna Singh, a resident, expressed her frustration, saying, “Just a few hours of rain and the Capital is waterlogged. The authorities really need to address the matter quickly, as it is causing a lot of trouble to Delhiites.”

Chetan, a resident of Jahangirpuri, said, “After a short period of rain, roads and lanes of Delhi have turned into rivers and ponds.”

Even the opposition parties in the Capital pointed out the chaos that the rain created. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva criticised the Kejriwal-led government.

“Just an hour of rainfall in the afternoon waterlogged roads from Najafgarh to Chhatarpur and from Narela to Badarpur,” said Sachdeva.

“Delhi residents pray for rain all summer, but due to the negligence, incompetence and corruption of the AAP, drains and sewers are not cleaned. As a result, as soon as it rains, residents begin praying for the rain to stop,” he added.

Delhi Congress officials also pointed out the waterlogging after Monday’s rain. Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav said, “The so-called ‘assurances’ and ‘preparedness’ by the Kejriwal-led government and the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) to prevent waterlogging fell flat once again when another spell of monsoon rains created waterlogging and traffic blockades in Delhi, with the worst example being the busy ITO stretch.”

Yadav continued, “It is indeed the height of irresponsibility and incompetence that the Delhi Government and MCD have not learnt any lesson from the massive waterlogging and chaos, when the first spell of monsoon downpour on June 28 submerged several underpasses and streets, including the Pragati Maidan tunnel.”

Yadav recalled that Public Works Department Minister Atishi, after a recent visit to review monsoon preparedness, claimed the government was ready to deal with any flood-like situation. “Very little preparedness to tackle waterlogging was visible when it rained today,” he said.

‘Claims of preparedness fall flat’

Just a few hours of rain and the Capital is waterlogged. The authorities really need to address the matter quickly, as it is causing a lot of trouble to Delhiites. — Aparna Singh, a resident

The so-called ‘assurances’ and ‘preparedness’ by the Kejriwal-led government and the Delhi MC to prevent waterlogging fell flat once again. — Devender Yadav, Delhi Congress chief