Five hours of torrential rain disrupted life in Delhi-NCR on Wednesday. People were stuck in traffic jams for hours due to waterlogging on the roads. Mukesh Goswami (55) died in Ghaziabad when a hoarding fell on the road. At the same time, mother Tanuja (22) and three-year-old son Priyansh died after drowning due to water filling in the drain under construction in Khoda. Two youths were injured when the roof of a gym collapsed in Tughlaqpur, Greater Noida. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for rain for Thursday, while schools have been closed in Delhi. Delhi government minister Atishi issued an order in this regard late last night.
Due to rain, the route of about 10 flights coming to Delhi was changed. After the day’s humid heat, the rain which started at around 6:30 pm on Wednesday evening continued intermittently till late night. Most of the roads were submerged in water. The same scary scene was seen again on the roads of Rajendra Nagar area of Delhi, which was in news recently due to the accident in the basement of a coaching centre, and people were seen walking in knee-deep water. According to the Meteorological Department, till 8:30 pm on Wednesday night, Mayur Vihar recorded the highest rainfall of 119 mm. Apart from this, 79.2 mm rain was recorded in Safdarjung, 77.5 mm in Delhi University, 66.5 mm in Pusa and 43.7 mm in Palam. 118.5 mm rain was recorded in Sector 62 of Noida. In view of the deteriorating situation, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena ordered the administration to remain alert. Also, instructions were given to pay special attention to all coaching centres.
After the day’s humidity, the weather took a turn in the evening
On Wednesday, the sun was shining since morning. People were suffering from the humid heat during the day. During the day, the maximum temperature of Delhi was 37.8 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal. As the evening approached, the weather took a turn and suddenly thick clouds covered the sky. After the rain, the drivers and pedestrians had to face the most trouble due to waterlogging.
The capital’s roads became seas
Due to the rain, people’s houses were flooded in Delhi’s Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, RK Puram, INA, Hauz Khas, Ashram, ITO, Minto Road, Daryaganj, Turkman Gate, Chandni Chowk, Ballimaran, Sangam Vihar, Badarpur and other areas. Many vehicles have drowned in the water. Many underpasses and subways were also flooded.
Noida: Authority’s claims exposed
Two hours of rain in Noida adjacent to Delhi exposed Noida Authority’s claims of cleaning drains and preventing waterlogging. Roads were flooded with water up to two feet. Water entered the drawing rooms of ground floor flats. Waterlogging in Mamura, DND Loop, Chilla, Gol Chakkar, GIP underpass, Sector-60 underpass caused two to three km long traffic jams. Vehicle drivers had to face problems due to falling of trees at many places.