Heavy rains lash Delhi, waterlogging in some areas

New Delhi: Heavy rains coupled with below normal temperature on Tuesday brought the much needed respite for Delhiites from sultry weather conditions, but it also led to waterlogging and slowdown of traffic in various parts of the national capital.

Delhi got drenched with heavy rains in the morning, which led to waterlogging and slowing down of traffic in various parts of the city.

The maximum temperature was recorded at 27.9 degree Celsius, which was six degree below normal, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 25.4 degree Celsius, one notch below normal.

The rain gauges at the Safdurjung MeT station measured 9.5 mm of showers for a period of 24 hours till 8:30 am, while Palam station recorded 56.8 mm during the same period. Till 5.30 PM, the city got a 015.0 mm of rainfall.

The showers brought back the problem of waterlogging in various parts of the city, including ITO, Laxmi Nagar and Mandi House among other places. Traffic was moving at a slow pace due to rains.

Also, the tunnel road connecting Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 of the IGI airport remained closed during the day as it was flooded.

"This led to traffic diversions during peak morning traffic hours resulting in a small jam on NH-8 and near the airport," an airport official said.

After a heavy downpour, rain water from NH8 and Mahipalpur entered into the Commercial Project Development area, also known as the Aerocity, which then overflowed on to the road near the tunnel on Northern Access Road, he added.

The road was closed in 2011 due to similar flooding after heavy rains.

They also said that rain water from Mahipalpur and NH-8 had been overflowing into the CPD because of maintenance work being carried out by PWD last week.

This had led to blockages in the drain near Mahipalpur causing the rain water not to be drained out and instead flow into the CPD, the official said.

The MeT department has said that tomorrow the city will witness a cloudy sky with possibility of rain and thunder shower. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be at 30 and 25 degree Celsius.