Eight individuals perished in Delhi during heavy rainfall, causing a delay for over a hundred flights according to Indian media reports.
Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) were hit by heavy rain on Saturday, causing significant disruption to air travel, traffic, and public safety. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for heavy rain in the region, and several areas reported severe waterlogging and traffic jams.
According to reports, more than 350 flights were delayed due to the heavy rain. Flightradar data showed that 15 flights to Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport were delayed at 8:30am, and 135 flights were delayed on Saturday. Some airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, warned of possible impact on flights due to the heavy rain. Passengers were advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport and allow extra time for their journey due to possible slow moving traffic.
The heavy rain also caused severe waterlogging and traffic congestion in many parts of Delhi and NCR, including Gurgaon, Noida, and Ghaziabad. Several low-lying areas experienced flooding and intense water accumulation, severely slowing morning and daily traffic. The capital was brought to a standstill, with traffic disruptions reported on Panchkuian Marg, Mathura Road, and Connaught Place.
The ongoing heavy rainfall is expected to persist at least until August 17, potentially continuing to exacerbate these issues. Forecasts predict light to moderate showers in coming days.
Unfortunately, the heavy rain also took a toll on public safety. Eight people were killed when a wall collapsed near Mohan Baba Mandir in Harinagar amid heavy rains in the national capital. The ongoing heavy rainfall has also been linked to a health crisis due to waterlogging and floating garbage, which poses risks but no explicit death figures were noted.
On a positive note, the heavy rain has improved air quality in Delhi. The air quality index (AQI) category has been reduced from "moderate" to "satisfactory" due to the reduction in pollutants.
References
- India Today
- NDTV
- The Hindu
- Times of India
- The news reports on Saturday highlighted heavy rain disrupting air travel, traffic, and public safety in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
- The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted heavy rain, and their warning was confirmed as several areas reported severe waterlogging and traffic jams.
- Over 350 flights were delayed due to the heavy rain, according to various sources, and some airlines like Air India and IndiGo warned of potential flight disruptions.
- The ongoing heavy rainfall is expected to continue until August 17, possibly exacerbating the issues related to disrupted travel and traffic congestion.
- Tragically, eight people lost their lives when a wall collapsed in Harinagar amid heavy rains, and the ongoing rainfall has been associated with a health crisis due to waterlogging and floating garbage, even though no specific death toll has been established.
- A silver lining in this situation is that the heavy rain has improved Delhi's air quality, moving the air quality index (AQI) category from "moderate" to "satisfactory" due to the decrease in pollutants.
