Heavy rainfall brings waterlogging and power outages to Delhi-NCR, IMD forecasts more showers through the week

Delhi and its surrounding areas have been hit with heavy rainfall since Thursday morning, causing waterlogging on roads and power outages in various localities. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a three-day alert, warning that the rains are likely to continue through the weekend. According to the IMD, "the monsoon trough has come near Delhi," which means the rain will persist not just today but also on Friday and Saturday.

The heavy rainfall may lead to surface runoff, flooding in low-lying areas, waterlogged roads, and closed underpasses, especially in urban regions. Traffic may be disrupted, visibility might decrease, and minor damage to unpaved roads, vulnerable structures, and crops could occur.

Rain Expected to Peak on Thursday and Friday

A weather system originating over central India is set to bring heavy rainfall to several states over the next few days. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this depression is currently located near Gwalior and is expected to move north-northeast within the next 24 hours.

IMD says Uttarakhand will see light to moderate rain from September 12 to 14, with isolated areas experiencing heavy to extremely heavy rains. Haryana and Delhi are forecasted to have light to moderate rain and occasional heavy rainfall between September 12 and 15.

Both east and west Uttar Pradesh should prepare for significant rainfall during this period. Madhya Pradesh will experience heavy rain on September 12, followed by moderate to heavy showers in the subsequent days. West Rajasthan is likely to have heavy rain on September 12, whereas east Rajasthan might experience heavy to very heavy rain on September 12 and 13.

Rainfall measurements are categorized as follows: 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm is considered "heavy", 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm is "very heavy", and above 204.5 mm is labeled as "extremely heavy".

Winds up to 55 kmph are expected in parts of north Madhya Pradesh, west Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi in the coming 24 hours. The IMD has warned of a moderate to high risk of flash floods, particularly in west Uttar Pradesh and both east and west Madhya Pradesh.

Delhi's Monsoon Rain Exceeds Seasonal Average

As of now, Delhi has recorded 913.1 mm of rain during this monsoon season, surpassing the usual rainfall for this time of year. September has already seen 80 mm of rain, and the average rainfall for the month stands at 123 mm. With heavy rains predicted over the next few days, it is expected that the city’s rainfall will exceed the monthly average by a significant margin. However, after September 14, rainfall in the region is likely to diminish, according to weather reports.

Heavy Rain to Hit Haryana and Neighboring States

The IMD’s forecast extends beyond Delhi to include parts of Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. The IMD stated, “Light to moderate rain may occur in Delhi-NCR, many districts of Haryana and some districts of western Uttar Pradesh.” The districts expected to experience rain in Haryana include Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, and Rohtak. Other areas, such as Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Rewari, and Palwal, are also likely to be affected.

Western Uttar Pradesh districts, including Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, and Bijnor, are also expected to experience rainfall. Additionally, districts like Moradabad, Bulandshahr, and Amroha are on the list of areas expected to be impacted by rain over the next few days.

Widespread Rain Expected Across Central and Northern India

The current weather system is not limited to Delhi-NCR. The IMD has also predicted heavy rainfall across central and northern India due to a depression over the Bay of Bengal, which has now moved over Chhattisgarh. The depression is expected to travel toward Uttarakhand via western Uttar Pradesh, bringing more rain to the region in the coming days.

A cyclonic circulation over Gujarat could lead to heavy rainfall in western Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Konkan, Goa, and coastal Maharashtra. Coastal Karnataka, Kerala, and Lakshadweep are also expected to receive light to moderate rain this week, with scattered showers forecast for coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.

IMD Issues 'Yellow' Alert for Delhi

The IMD has issued a "yellow" alert for Delhi, cautioning residents about potential heavy rains and gusty winds reaching up to 30 kmph until Friday. On Tuesday, different parts of the city received varied amounts of rainfall. The Safdarjung observatory recorded 5.6 mm, while Palam station reported 10.5 mm of rain. Pitampura saw the heaviest rainfall at 27 mm, while areas such as Lodhi Road, Ridge, and Ayanagar experienced lighter showers.

Traffic Disruptions and Public Safety Advisory

With waterlogging in multiple areas of Delhi, the city's Traffic Police has issued an advisory urging the public to avoid certain routes. Among the areas listed are Najafgarh Phirni Road, GT Karnal Road, Dabri roundabout, and Outer Ring Road between Peeragarhi and Vikaspuri. Traffic disruptions have also been reported in southern and southwestern parts of the city. Commuters are advised to plan alternate routes to avoid heavily waterlogged areas.

Looking Ahead: Rain to Ease by Sunday

As the weather system moves toward Uttar Pradesh, rainfall in Delhi will ease by Sunday. The IMD suggests that while the intensity of rain will diminish, the total rainfall for the month of September is likely to surpass the average. However, after September 14, monsoon rains in Delhi are expected to taper off, providing some relief from the recent weather conditions.