Heavy rain leaves parts of Delhi flooded; IMD issues red alert
Continuous heavy rainfall has prompted airlines to issue travel advisories, warning passengers of potential flight delays and disruptions
Heavy rains lashed the National Capital Region on Tuesday (July 28), prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for Delhi for the next three hours.
The weather department issued the warning as dark clouds engulfed the city. Rainfall intensified across the national capital from the morning, leading to waterlogging in several areas, including Connaught Place, Sadar Bazar and other parts of Central Delhi.
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Moderate to heavy showers continued through the morning, and the IMD forecast overcast skies with moderate rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds over the next few hours.
Recorded rainfall
According to the IMD, Safdarjung recorded 32.4 mm of cumulative rainfall till 8:30 am, followed by Ridge with 37.6 mm, Lodi Road with 36.7 mm, Ayanagar with 4.0 mm and Palam with 0.8 mm.
Between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm on Monday (July 27), Ridge received 19.4 mm of rainfall, followed by Lodi Road with 11.5 mm, Safdarjung with 8.0 mm and Ayanagar with 3.8 mm, while Palam recorded no rainfall during the period.
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The minimum temperature at Safdarjung settled at 25.5 degrees Celsius, 1.8 notches below normal. The capital's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 77 at 9 am, remaining in the "satisfactory" category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
Continuous heavy rainfall has prompted airlines to issue travel advisories, warning passengers of potential flight delays and disruptions at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
Rescue operation affected
The adverse weather also hampered rescue operations after four people were feared drowned in the Yamuna River near Zero Pusta Road in east Delhi's Gandhi Nagar. Two people have been rescued so far, officials said.
The incident was reported near Madina Masjid on Monday evening. Police said they received information about the incident at 7.20 pm and immediately rushed a team to the spot.
Also read: Monsoon fury: Rain pounds Gujarat, Kashmir; IMD issues fresh alerts
Two fire rescue teams were also deployed, and a search operation was launched.
However, officials said the operation had to be suspended due to inclement weather and will resume once conditions improve. The identities of the deceased and the remaining missing persons are yet to be ascertained.
The exact circumstances leading to the incident are not immediately known. Further investigation is underway.
(With agency inputs)