Heavy Rain Paralyzes Delhi: Two Dead, Schools Closed, Flights Diverted

Delhi: The Indian capital, Delhi, grappled with torrential rain that wreaked havoc across the city, leaving streets submerged, flights diverted, and commuters stranded. Here are the latest updates:

1. Tragedy Strikes in Ghazipur:

• A 22-year-old woman named Tanuja and her three-year-old son, Priyansh tragically drowned in a waterlogged drain near Khoda Colony. The pair had ventured to a weekly market when they slipped and fell into the under-construction drain around 8 pm. Despite rescue efforts by divers and cranes, both victims were declared dead at Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital.

1. Schools Shut Amid Deluge:

• Delhi Education Minister Atishi announced late last night that all schools both government and private would remain closed on Thursday due to the heavy rainfall. Safety concerns prompted this decision as the city grappled with unrelenting downpours.

1. Red Alert from IMD:

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘red’ alert for Delhi, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours. Thunderstorms and lightning are likely to accompany the downpour. IMD warns that these conditions will persist until August 5.
• Not only Delhi but also other parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) experienced lightning, thunder, and light rain.

1. Flight Chaos and Diversions:

• The relentless rain disrupted flight operations at Delhi’s airport. Airlines like SpiceJet and IndiGo faced delays, with at least 10 flights heading to the capital diverted eight to Jaipur and two to Lucknow.
• IndiGo assured passengers that dedicated airport teams were working diligently to minimize inconvenience.

1. Inundated Areas and Traffic Chaos:

• Multiple areas, including Lutyen’s Delhi, Kashmere Gate, and Rajinder Nagar, were inundated due to the downpour.
• Commuters faced massive traffic chaos not only within Delhi but also on roads leading to Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad. The Mehrauli-Chhattarpur road witnessed over 1.5 hours of gridlock due to heavy rain.
• Key roads like Anuvrat Marg, Outer Ring Road, Syama Prasad Mukherjee Marg, and Mahatma Gandhi Marg were severely affected.

1. Flash Flood Concerns:

• The weather office added Delhi to its list of ‘areas of concern’ in the National Flash Flood Guidance Bulletin. Residents were advised to stay indoors, secure windows, and avoid unnecessary travel.

1. Parliament Building Leaks:

• Congress MP Manickam Tagore called for a specialized committee to inspect the Parliament building after water leaks were reported in the lobby during Wednesday’s heavy downpour.

As the city grapples with the aftermath of this deluge, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.