New Delhi: The city came to a standstill on Friday after it was lashed by torrential rain in Delhi-NCR. The roads were inundated and long traffic queues formed in various places. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Alert for Delhi with moderate rain in many parts and heavy rain in some parts of the city, with thunderstorms and lightning showers over the next few hours.
What did the IMD say?
The series of light to moderate rainfall may continue till August 10, according to the IMD. Whether it is Gurgaon or Noida, the rain has continued to add to the woes of the city.
Due to the rain, heavy traffic was seen in areas like Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, ITO, Wazirabad Road, Patel Road, Rohtak Road, Shankar Road, Kirti Nagar, Delhi-Jaipur Highway, Peeragarhi and Shaheen Bagh.
There was also a long line of vehicles along GT Road, GTB Enclave and Dilshad Garden in East Delhi. Social media users posted pictures and videos of the flood situation in parts of Dakshinpuri, Okhla, Sangam Vihar, Sainik Farms and Mehrauli-Badarpur Road.
What about the traffic?
A video shows a long traffic jam on a busy highway amid heavy rain and dense fog. The road is wet, and the queue of vehicles stretches for miles. Trucks, cars, autorickshaws, and bikes move slowly. The bad weather has caused a complete traffic snarl-up.
Heavy rain caused the Mahamaya Bridge to flood, and heavy rain in Durga Vihar led to waterlogging. The drains are flooded whenever there is rain, as they have become uncleaned, says Mung Lal Meena, principal of the MCD school. Waterlogging is occurring at the school gate and surrounding area, which creates difficulties for children and the surrounding community. The road to the Mansa Devi Temple is also affected. It is becoming a regular occurrence because of the administration’s negligence.
What about Gurugram?
The neighbouring city of Gurugram is also getting heavy rains. In the event of waterlogging or other emergencies, the Gurugram Traffic Police DCP Prateek Gehlot said that the Dial-112 teams had been made ready to act at a click. Besides, around 100 more police personnel are being deployed daily just for the task of traffic management and to ensure their promptness in the event of traffic jamming, waterlogging, or breakdown of vehicles.
Gehlot also added that several meetings were held with the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority, National Highway Authority, and the Municipal Corporation, and a joint inspection of the waterlogged locations was also carried out.
