Delhi-NCR Heavy Rain: IMD Issues Red Alert Amid Waterlogging
New Delhi: Heavy rain lashed several parts of Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region on Tuesday morning, disrupting normal life and causing waterlogging at several locations. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Delhi, warning of further heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas.
The persistent showers, accompanied by thick cloud cover, affected traffic movement across several parts of the capital during the morning rush hour.
IMD Issues Red Alert for Delhi
The IMD issued a district-level nowcast warning covering North Delhi, Central Delhi, North East Delhi, North West Delhi, West Delhi, South West Delhi, New Delhi, South Delhi, South East Delhi, Shahdara and East Delhi.
The red alert was valid until 9:45 am.
Heavy showers were reported from several prominent areas, including Parliament Street, Connaught Place, the AIIMS area, ITO, R.K. Puram and Ferozeshah Road.
More Rain, Thunderstorms Expected
According to the latest IMD forecast, moderate rainfall is likely at many places across Delhi, while isolated locations may receive heavy to extremely heavy showers.
The weather department has also forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds over the capital.
Gurugram and Faridabad have been placed under a yellow alert, with more rainfall expected. Noida remained heavily overcast, although no specific weather warning had been issued for the city.
Monday Rain Disrupted Traffic and Flights
The latest warning comes a day after heavy rainfall disrupted normal life across Delhi-NCR.
On Monday, waterlogging led to severe traffic congestion in several parts of Delhi, Gurugram and Noida, with long queues of vehicles reported on major roads and low-lying stretches.
Air travel was also affected. Twenty-six flights were cancelled, 15 diverted and more than 390 delayed during the day amid adverse weather conditions.
Delhi Records Above-Normal Monsoon Rainfall
The latest spell of rain has pushed cumulative monsoon rainfall above normal at several weather stations in Delhi.
Till August 24, Safdarjung recorded 246.2 mm of rainfall against a normal of 191.1 mm, an excess of 29 per cent. Palam recorded 227.2 mm, 28 per cent above normal, while Lodi Road received 233.2 mm, 22 per cent above normal.
The Ridge recorded 243 mm, 50 per cent above normal, while Ayanagar received 266.3 mm, an excess of 66 per cent.
Why Is Delhi Receiving Heavy Rain?
The IMD attributed the intense rainfall to the interaction between a middle- and upper-level western disturbance and a lower-tropospheric trough extending from a low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal towards southwest Uttar Pradesh.
