IMD Issues Red Alert for Delhi as Heavy Rains Trigger Waterlogging, Residents Blame Poor Planning

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘red alert’ for Delhi on July 10. Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected throughout the day with possible lightning and gusty winds ranging between 30–40 kmph, potentially reaching up to 50 kmph during heavier spells, reported Business Standard.  

Incessant rainfall in Delhi and part of the National Capital Region (NCR) since last night led to widespread waterlogging and traffic disruptions across the city.

The rainfall, which began on July 9 evening brought relief from the excessive humidity and high temperatures, with overcast skies persisting across the region.

However, the incessant rainfall has caused waterlogging in several parts of Gurugram, due to which vehicles had to go through the waterlogged roads.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted “generally cloudy sky with moderate rain” for the national capital. The weather agency has predicted “thunderstorm with rain” for the next three days for Delhi.

According to HT, the Regional Met Centre of Chandigarh said that the weather of Gurugram is likely to rain with “generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers” for over next two days.

Meanwhile, a fresh spell of rain also showered on Ambala city of Haryana. The weather agency has forecasted ‘generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers’ conditions to persist in the Ambala district till tomorrow.

Ajmer in Rajasthan also witnessed waterlogging in many parts of the city after heavy rainfall. The premier weather agency has forecasted ‘thunderstorm with rain’ conditions to persist in the district till July 13.

Earlier, the IMD stated that the active monsoon conditions are likely to continue over central parts of the country during the next 4-5 days.

On July 9, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj shared a video on X, in which he claimed that waterlogging had occurred at Shalimar Bagh.

“See the condition of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s own assembly, Shalimar Bagh,” Saurabh Bharadwaj posted on X.

Residents Criticise Authorities

Jayram Bansal, a resident from Gurgaon posted before and after images of an area under construction which turned into a pool showing the under preparedness of the authorities.

Another resident from Delhi, Samta Kapur Arora, expressed that travelling in two-wheeler from her office drenched in the rain on her two wheelers for hours and reached home at 10.40 pm on July 9. Ignorance towards the working class and wrote on X, “Pathetic state of #Delhitraffic #DelhiRains”.

Meanwhile, Gurugram residents remained trapped in waterlogged roads for over five hours on the night of July 9 as intense rainfall overwhelmed the infrastructure.

According to HT, the city’s drainage system struggled to cope with the 133 mm of rainfall including 103 mm between 7.30 pm and 9 pm, resulting in widespread traffic congestion and flooding.

The residents, troubled by the situation called for a reliable drainage system along with asking authorities to prioritise effective, lasting solutions over temporary fixes, according to HT.

The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) advised corporate offices and private institutions to have their employees work from home on July 10, to reduce traffic congestion and ease strain on the city’s infrastructure.