Cars immersed underwater in alarming footage following heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in Delhi
In the early hours of Sunday, the capital city of Delhi faced a deluge of heavy rain and thunderstorms, leading to severe waterlogging and subsequent traffic disruptions. The inclement weather forced the diversion of 49 flights and submerged vehicles in certain areas, necessitating the evacuation of passengers.
A bus and a car were among the vehicles that were engulfed by the floodwaters at Delhi Cantt and Minto Road, respectively, as visualized in footage shared by news agency ANI. The storm also resulted in the uprooting of trees, electricity poles, and widespread traffic congestion across the city.
The sudden onset of the rain and strong winds also led to a dramatic drop in temperature, with the city recording a minimum of 19.8 degrees Celsius—6.9 degrees lower than normal. Moreover, waterlogging transformed some of the city's roads into temporary rivers, causing traffic gridlock. Social media posts decried the recurring waterlogging issues in major Indian cities during the rainy season, questioning the quality of infrastructure in urban areas.
The weather department had issued a red alert on Saturday night, warning of an approaching thunderstorm cell from the west and northwest, and forecasting severe thunderstorms or dust-raising winds accompanied by frequent lightning and gusty winds.
Delhi has a history of waterlogging issues during monsoons, with the problem worsening in cases of unexpected or record-breaking rainfall events. The recent incident in May 2025 stands out due to its intensity and the disruption it caused—200 flights were affected, roads were closed, and numerous trees were uprooted. The frequency of these incidents is not limited to a few locations; they are reported across the city, particularly after heavy rain or storms.
The Delhi government has taken measures to address waterlogging concerns. These include deploying automatic pumps, laying new pipelines, and stationing emergency teams at known trouble spots for quick response. However, with the scale and unpredictability of recent rainfall, long-term, science-based urban planning and improved drainage systems have become crucial for addressing this complex issue.
- The recurring waterlogging issues in major Indian cities during the rainy season, such as in Delhi, have led to questions about the quality of infrastructure in urban areas, particularly when it comes to drainage systems.
- The heavy rain and thunderstorms in Delhi, similar to the incident in May 2025, have the potential to disrupt the economy, as was evidenced by the diversion of 49 flights and the subsequent traffic disruptions.
- The weather-forecasting system is crucial in predicting extreme weather events, such as the severe thunderstorms that hit Delhi, allowing for infrastructure preparations and emergency responses to minimize damage when these events occur.
