Delhi and the adjoining national capital region (NCR) experienced heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours, leading to widespread flooding and loss of lives. More "high intensity" showers are in store for the city this week, with the weather office issuing a yellow alert for Monday.
According to the India Meteorological Department, Delhi recorded a staggering 153 mm of rain in a 24-hour period, ending at 8.30 am on Sunday – the highest rainfall in a single day in July since 1982.
The downpour resulted in numerous areas of the city being submerged under water. Lajpat Nagar-1, Som Bazar, Najafgarh, Mayur Vihar Phase-3, Okhla Marg, and Model Town were among the severely affected regions, where waterlogging brought daily life to a standstill.
Commuters faced significant difficulties as roads became impassable and traffic movement was restricted.
Infrastructure was significantly impacted by the heavy rainfall. In Rohini Sector-24, a large portion of a road caved in, further disrupting traffic flow and causing inconvenience to residents in the area.
The 1.2-km-long Pragati Maidan tunnel was closed on Sunday night after it got flooded. A security personnel on the spot said there was knee-deep water in the tunnel, which was built at a cost of over Rs 920 crore and inaugurated by PM Modi in June last year.
2 DEAD, 5 INJURED DUE TO RAIN HAVOC
The heavy rainfall also caused a series of tragic incidents. In the Subzi Mandi area, a young woman identified as Priti lost her life when a dilapidated portion of a wall at a veterinary hospital collapsed, according to the police.
Another incident in Rohini claimed the life of a 49-year-old auto driver after a tree fell on his vehicle. Rajender, who was seriously injured during the tree collapse, was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared brought dead.
The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) control room received distress calls reporting 13 house-collapse incidents. Five people were injured in separate rain-related incidents, police said.
The Delhi government issued a flood warning on Sunday after Haryana released over one lakh cusecs of water from the Hathnikund barrage into the Yamuna river, prompting concerns of further flooding. The water level in the Yamuna is expected to exceed the danger mark of 205.33 meters by Tuesday.
Authorities have instructed relevant departments to remain vigilant and take necessary action in vulnerable areas. Quick response teams have been deployed to raise awareness and caution individuals residing near river embankments about the potential dangers.
