Delhi-NCR rain causes waterlogging, traffic disruptions
New Delhi: After two days of continuous rainfall across Delhi-NCR, several parts of Delhi, Noida, and Haryana continued to grapple with severe waterlogging, traffic congestion, and disruptions to daily life on Saturday. The situation prompted some offices and institutions to allow employees to work from home as authorities struggled to manage the impact of the downpour.
In Delhi, waterlogging was reported from several areas, including Vasant Kunj, Okhla Mod, Kalindi Kunj, and Delhi-Karnal Road. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a two-day ‘Orange Alert’ for the national Capital, warning of heavy rainfall and urging residents to remain cautious.
As the water level in the Yamuna River continued to rise due to persistent rain, teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed at Kalindi Kunj Bhola Ghat to monitor the situation and undertake preventive measures.
Rain resumed in several parts of Delhi on Saturday afternoon, adding to the challenges faced by commuters. At Okhla Mod, waterlogging persisted even after Friday’s heavy rainfall. While traffic movement had largely resumed as water levels receded, nearly one to two feet of water still remained on parts of the road.
Traffic was also affected on Delhi-Karnal Road (Mahatma Gandhi Marg) behind the Red Fort after a Delhi Jal Board pipeline reportedly burst, causing flooding in the area. Water pumps were deployed to drain the accumulated water, while Delhi Traffic Police personnel managed traffic diversions and congestion.
Heavy traffic snarls were reported on Shooting Range Road connecting Delhi to Faridabad. Commuters remained stranded for hours on Friday night as rain-triggered waterlogging led to long queues of vehicles from Tughlakabad towards Surajkund and Faridabad. Traffic congestion reportedly continued until midnight.
Neighbouring Noida also witnessed severe waterlogging in Sector 16, Sector 18, Sector 3, Sector 4 and under the Mahamaya Flyover in Sector 95, where several vehicles broke down after getting submerged in rainwater.
A commuter, Naeem told IANS, “I was travelling from Kalindi Kunj to Kashmere Gate. There is heavy waterlogging under the Mahamaya Flyover. My bike broke down, and many other people’s bikes have also broken down. Because of this, we are not even able to reach our workplaces.”
Another commuter said, “I had to travel from Film City to Sector 4 to pick up my sister and head home to Sector 30 after that. It was a complete nightmare as there was heavy waterlogging in Sector 16, Sector 18, Sector 3, Sector 4 and it took us 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach our home as there were major traffic jams due to the flooding. It usually takes me 20 minutes to get home after picking her up.”
In Haryana, several areas reported waterlogging following the rains. Parts of Bhiwani witnessed flooded roads, while Charkhi Dadri faced severe water accumulation that disrupted traffic movement and daily activities, once again highlighting shortcomings in the drainage infrastructure and storm drain cleaning.
Despite the disruptions, Delhi residents woke up to relatively pleasant weather on Saturday. The rainfall significantly reduced temperatures, with Safdarjung recording a maximum temperature of 27.5 degrees Celsius on Friday, which was 6.7 degrees below normal.
According to the IMD, Delhi is expected to witness a generally cloudy sky on Saturday, with light to moderate rainfall likely at several places. The maximum temperature is expected to remain between 30 and 32 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is likely to range between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius. Light to moderate winds with speeds of 10-20 kmph are also expected to prevail across the region.