Heavy rain lashes Delhi, mercury plunges

Heavy rain virtually brought Delhi to a standstill on Friday with waterlogged roads causing inconvenience to hundreds of commuters and playing spoilsport in festivities, while the mercury dropped sharply.

The city received a total of 64.8 mm of rains, which started early in the morning and lashed the entire city and the adjoining areas, Met department said.

Delhi received 26.2 mm of rains till 8.30 am and 38.65 mm till 5.30 pm, which brought the day temperature to eight degrees below normal.

The maximum temperature in the city was recorded at 26.1 degrees Celsius against 35.1 degrees Celsius on Thursday. The minimum was 19.9 degrees Celsius, against 23.8 degrees on Thursday. The humidity level oscillated between 71 per cent and 100 per cent.

Rain played spoilsport at Durga Puja festivities as several pandals were flooded.
The rains did bring respite from the hot and muggy weather conditions for the Delhiites but it also brought with it the perennial problem of waterlogging and traffic jams at all major roads and busy intersections. Commuters and office-goers had a harrowing time as they were caught in flooded streets and subsequent traffic jams.
“With traffic coming to a standstill, it's a nightmare to move out on a rainy day in Delhi," said Rahul Rishi, a software engineer working in Noida.

Met department attributed heavy rains to a low pressure formation over Punjab and accumulation of moisture from East and South East winds coming from Bay of Bengal due to cyclonic activities. Also, the monsoon is yet to withdraw from India.

"The city would continue to receive rains for next two to three days," a Met official said.

Waterlogging and traffic jams were witnessed on Ring Road, near Dhaula Kuan, Mayapuri flyover and all along the outer ring road from IIT to Subroto Park. Also, break down of several cars added to slowing down of traffic.

Traffic was heavy at G D Road, P D Road, O P Marg, Paschimi Marg, near Munirka market and both carriage way towards Gurgaon due to waterlogging. Traffic movement was slow at Aurobindo Marg due to waterlogging.