Heavy Rains Bring Delhi-NCR to a Standstill, Waterlogging and Traffic Jams in Several Areas

Delhi-NCR Weather Update: Monsoon arrived in full force on Wednesday morning across Delhi-NCR. Around 8:30 AM, the skies suddenly darkened and heavy rainfall brought the capital’s pace to a halt. While the weather turned pleasant, waterlogging and severe traffic congestion created major problems for commuters.

IMD Issues Orange Alert for Heavy Rain

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the next few hours, warning of heavy rainfall in Delhi and other parts of northern India including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The alert is in effect for the next 23 hours, during which weather conditions are expected to remain unstable.

Areas Affected by Rain and Waterlogging

Many parts of Delhi witnessed severe waterlogging, slowing down traffic significantly. Office-goers and school children faced major inconvenience as the downpour that began Tuesday night continued through Wednesday without much respite. According to IMD, this spell of intense rain is due to a cyclonic circulation over western Rajasthan and neighboring Pakistan, along with an active monsoon trough stretching from Jammu to the Bay of Bengal. Rainfall is expected to continue intermittently until July 26.

Air Quality Improves Post Rain

One of the positive outcomes of the heavy rains was improved air quality in the capital. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s average AQI at 6:30 AM on Wednesday was 78, which falls in the “satisfactory” category. However, a few areas recorded slightly higher levels: Wazirpur (108), Pusa (112), Mundka (107), and Jahangirpuri (104). Surrounding NCR cities also saw improvements: Noida (75), Gurugram (95), Ghaziabad (92), Greater Noida (88), and Faridabad (85).

Monsoon Active in UP and Bihar

The monsoon has also become more active in parts of Uttar Pradesh, where light to moderate showers have been predicted. Some districts may experience thunderstorms and lightning, the IMD warned.
In Bihar, monsoon activity picked up again starting Sunday, and heavy rainfall alerts have been issued for multiple districts today. This has provided relief from the humid and oppressive heat in the region.

IMD Urges Public to Take Precautions

The IMD has advised residents to remain cautious and follow safety measures:

• Avoid waterlogged areas
• Refrain from unnecessary travel
• Stay away from electrical equipment
• Keep an eye on traffic and weather updates