Morning showers flood roads, bring traffic to grinding halt
Ridge area in Delhi pounded by hefty rainfall of a whopping 61 mm
NEW DELHI: The Capital came to a virtual standstill after heavy rains lashed several parts of Delhi on Saturday, leading to excessive water-logging and traffic snarls in several parts.
Streets were water-logged near the Civic Centre at Minto Road, as well as in Civil Lines area where cars were seen half-submerged in water.
Showers began around 7.00 am and about an hour and a half later, the Ridge area was pounded by hefty rainfall of a whopping 61 mm.
At the same time, Safdarjung recorded heavy showers to the tune of 25.5 mm. Other parts of the city have also seen some hefty showers.
Many parts of the Capital were covered in knee-deep water, as Delhi Police tried to manage the chaotic traffic.
In some parts, commuters could be seen trudging through at least two feet deep water on the roads.
The showers have been attributed to the oscillation of the axis of the monsoon trough, which will likely cause rains for two-three days in Delhi.
In fact, Delhi has circulations on both sides, one over south Pakistan
towards its western side, while on its eastern side a cyclonic circulation is persisting over East Uttar Pradesh and adjoining areas.
In fact, Sunday’s rainfall may be slightly more intense and cause more water-logging and massive traffic jams in many parts of the Capital.
Though lower in intensity, rainfall activity is expected to continue on Monday as well.
As a result, temperatures have already reduced and the weather may become more pleasant as showers continue.
“Water-logging was reported at Iron Bridge Loni Road, Khajuri Chowk Wazirabad Road, Bhajan Pura Main Market Wazirabad Road, Apsara Border, Yamuna Marg, IP College MGM Road Ring Road, under IP Flyover Vikas Marg and Chatta Rail Lothian Road,” a Delhi Traffic Police official said.
“Roads submerged after the rainfall included those under Modi Mill Flyover, Rao Tula Ram T-point on the way to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Rajghat, Janpath, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg to Lajpat Nagar market on Ring Road, Inderprastha Marg near Delhi Police headquarters, Rajendra Prasad Road, GT Karnal Road and Minto Road among others,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Traffic Police asked people to avoid Delhi-noida road towards Ashram where traffic was blocked after a bus broke down.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan also had to cancel the Change of Guard ceremony due to the heavy rains.
“The Change of Guard Ceremony on the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan will not be held today (September 1, 2018) due to heavy rain in New Delhi,” the President’s official Twitter handle said.
Moreover, due to excessive waterlogging, traffic was affected at Mathura road, Sher Shah road, Mathura road to Bhairon road, Purana quila road, Bihari colony, Maharashi Raman marg, Teen Murti lane, 11 Murti and Girdhari Lal Goswami Marg near post office.
“Water-logging was reported at Lajpat Nagar market, Pant Nagar bus stand and IP Marg near police headquarters. The traffic movement was closed on Bhairon road both ways due to waterlogging,” the official said.