Heavy rains affect traffic movement, lead to waterlogging in Delhi

New Delhi: Heavy rains lashed the national capital on Wednesday with the continuous downpour leading to water-logging on major roads severely affecting traffic movement across the city. [caption id=“attachment_2985286” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Waterlogging in Delhi. PTI[/caption] The city received 63.1 mm rainfall as per the reading of the Safdarjung observatory while the Palam observatory recorded 55.6 mm rainfall. Water logging in various areas including Shantipath, Press Enclave Road, Dhaulakuan, Zakir Hussain Marg, AIIMS flyover and Zakhir underpass among other areas crippled the traffic movement giving Delhiites a tough time. Barapullah flyover towards DND, Ashram Chowk, Ring Road Maharani Bagh, Lajpat Nagar, Sarai Kale Khan, Raja Garden towards Mayapuri and Gymkhana towards Teen Murti Marg were also among the major water-logged points. “The maximum temperature was recorded at 30.4 degrees Celsius, four notches below normal while the minimum settled at 26 degrees Celsius, a notch below normal,” a MeT official said. The humidity levels osscilated between 97 and 69 percent. Weatherman has predicted continuous downpour in the city with possibility of thunderstorm. “The rains will continue to lash the city tomorrow as well. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 30 and 25 degrees Celsius,” the official added. South Delhi was the worst hit with severe traffic congestion being seen at the stretch between IIT-Delhi to Munirka, Press Enclave Road, Chirag Delhi to Nehru Place flyover Sadik Nagar, BRT to Moolchand, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg, Nehru Place to Zamrudpur, Maharani Bagh, Lajpat Nagar, Lado Sarai T-Point, West End Marg near Saket Metro Station, AIIMS Loop and under South Ex. flyover. Long tailbacks were witnessed in and around Gymkhana towards Teen Murti Marg, Bhairon Road towards Mathura Road Roundabout, Gol Dak Khana, Kali Bari Marg, Leela Palace Hotel,Okhla Underpass,Chandni Chowk,Barapullah flyover towards DND, IP Flyover towards Sarai Kale Khan, Panchsheel Marg from Sardar Patel Marg to Shanti Path. An official at the Delhi airport said there has been a slight delay in departure of flights on account of heavy rains. A Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur due to “bad weather” in the morning at around 0900 hours, the official said.