Delhi witnessed its heaviest spell of rainfall this year on Thursday, making it the wettest July day in the last three years. The intense downpour brought much-needed relief from the heat but also caused widespread waterlogging, traffic congestion and several rain-related incidents across Delhi-NCR.
The heavy rainfall pushed the city’s maximum temperature below 30°C, while several areas recorded more than 100 mm of rain within 24 hours.
Four Stations Receive More Than 100 mm of Rain
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), four weather stations across Delhi-NCR recorded over 100 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Thursday.
The highest rainfall was recorded at:
- Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad: 164 mm
- Tukmirpur-Khajuri, Delhi: 160 mm
- Hindon: 133 mm
- Mayur Vihar, Delhi: 103 mm
Meanwhile, Delhi’s base weather station at Safdarjung recorded 73 mm of rainfall during the same period.
Other stations also received significant rainfall, including:
- Delhi University – 90 mm
- Mehrauli – 83 mm
- Lodhi Road – 80 mm
- Ridge – 78 mm
- Chhatarpur – 72 mm
Waterlogging Causes Major Traffic Disruptions
The morning rain severely affected traffic across Delhi-NCR as thousands of commuters headed to schools and offices.
Several major roads witnessed long traffic jams because of waterlogging and fallen trees.
Among the worst-affected stretches were:
- NH-24 near Ghazipur
- MB Road
- Barapullah
- Sangam Vihar
- Parts of Dwarka
Furthermore, videos and pictures shared on social media showed flooded underpasses, partially submerged vehicles and pedestrians wading through waterlogged streets.
Rain-Related Incidents Claim Lives
The heavy rain also led to tragic incidents in Delhi and neighbouring Ghaziabad.
A seven-year-old boy drowned in a waterlogged vacant plot in Samaypur Badli in outer Delhi.
In another incident, the Delhi Fire Services received information about a man reportedly drowning in the Bawana canal. However, no body had been recovered till Thursday night.
Ghaziabad also reported two rain-related deaths.
A three-year-old girl drowned in Vijay Nagar, while a security guard died after suffering an electric shock in Indirapuram.
Temperatures Drop Sharply Across the City
The prolonged rainfall brought a significant drop in temperatures.
Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 29.2°C, which was 7.4 degrees below the seasonal average.
For comparison, the city had recorded 30.8°C on Wednesday and 37.2°C on Tuesday, highlighting the sharp fall caused by the rain.
The minimum temperature settled at 24.3°C, which was four degrees below normal.
Rainfall Distribution Remained Uneven
Although several parts of Delhi experienced heavy showers, rainfall was not uniform across the city.
The Jafarpur weather station in northwest Delhi recorded only 9 mm of rain during the same period.
According to IMD officials, weather radar showed the heaviest rain bands over north Ghaziabad and northeast Delhi. In comparison, Gurugram and southwest Delhi received only moderate rainfall.
Between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm, additional rainfall was recorded at several stations:
- Safdarjung – 32.4 mm
- Lodhi Road – 33.2 mm
- Ridge – 25.6 mm
- Mayur Vihar – 43 mm
IMD Forecast: Rain to Continue Till Saturday
The India Meteorological Department has forecast more rain for Delhi-NCR over the next two days.
The weather department has issued a yellow alert for Friday, predicting very light to light rainfall at many places, along with moderate showers at isolated locations. Occasional thunderstorms are also expected during the morning and forenoon.
Residents have been advised to remain cautious while travelling, especially in low-lying areas that are prone to waterlogging.