The arrival of monsoon winds has brought heavy rainfall to several areas of Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram, providing much-needed relief from the scorching summer heat. However, the joy of the downpour was quickly overshadowed by the challenges it brought with it. Less than 24 hours of rain resulted in severe waterlogging in many parts of Delhi, leading to major traffic jams and significant disruption to daily commutes. Videos shared online show the extent of the waterlogging, with submerged cars, trucks, and flooded roads a common sight. One video shows a car partially submerged in water on Minto Road, highlighting the severity of the situation. Another video showcases a truck completely submerged in water, a testament to the intensity of the rainfall. The traffic situation across the city was equally chaotic, with videos showing massive traffic jams at ITO, Teen Murti Marg, Minto Road, Moti Bagh, Noida, Dhaula Kuan, Shanti Path, and several other locations. Motorists were seen struggling to navigate flooded roads and snarling traffic, highlighting the significant challenges faced by commuters during the downpour. The waterlogging wasn’t confined to specific areas either, with reports of flooding in Govindpuri area of South Delhi, Noida Sector 95, and several other locations. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has officially announced the monsoon’s entry into Delhi within the next one to two days. However, the heavy rainfall experienced on Thursday and Friday morning serves as a stark reminder of the city’s vulnerability to heavy rains and the need for better infrastructure to manage waterlogging and traffic congestion during such events. Looking ahead, the IMD has forecast generally cloudy skies and varying intensities of rain accompanied by gusty winds for the next seven days. As the monsoon season sets in, the city of Delhi will likely continue to face challenges related to waterlogging and traffic disruptions. The extent of these issues and the city’s ability to cope with them will depend on the intensity and duration of the rains in the coming days and weeks.
