Parts of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana saw unusual and intense rainfall on Thursday leading to waterlogging and traffic snarls
Even as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted the delayed withdrawal of the monsoon season on Wednesday, parts of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana are experiencing unusual and intense rainfall over the last two days which have lead to waterlogging and traffic snarls, especially in Delhi-NCR. Heavy overnight rains have submerged parts of Gurugram, and the IMD predicts light to moderate rainfall in Northeast and Southeast NCR.
The end-of-September rain in the capital and surrounding areas is the result of a rare interaction of two weather systems — a western disturbance and a low-pressure system — 250km southwest of the city, scientists said, adding that this phenomenon may further prolong the already-delayed withdrawal of monsoon, as per Hindustan Times.
Here are the latest weather updates from across the country:
Heavy Rains, Waterlogging in Delhi
The IMD sounded a yellow alert for moderate to heavy rains in Delhi for Friday. Severe areas in the city are waterlogged following heavy rains and traffic advisories have been issued. A water pump had to be installed at Mathura Road to remove excess water.
Heavy rains caused massive traffic snarls in several parts of Delhi on Thursday and a portion of a road caved in after incessant rains. Several trees were also uprooted.
The IMD issued an alert on the intervening night between Thursday and Friday. “A fresh cloud is approaching towards Delhi leading to possibility of light to moderate rainfall at most places with intense spells occasionally at a few places over Delhi and adjoining areas of NCR during next 3-4 hours,” it said.
Gurugram Submerged after Overnight Rains, Employees Advised to Work from Home
Overnight rains have caused waterlogging in parts of Gurugram as well, and a bus stand was submerged in flood waters on Friday, as per reports.
On Thursday, heavy rainfall in Gurugram lead to a massive traffic jam on the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway. The Disaster Management Authority advised corporates to give employees work from home, to avoid more traffic snarls. “In the wake of heavy rainfall alert on Sept 23 in Gurugram, all corporate & private institutions in district advised to guide employees to work from home so that traffic congestion can be avoided & repair work can be done,” they said as per ANI.
Schools will also remain shut in the district on Friday.
Uttar Pradesh on Orange Alert, More Rainfall Predicted
An orange alert was issued in Aligarh, Agra and and Banda districts of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. At least 10 people were killed, seven of them in Etawah, and 11 injured in incidents of lightning, and wall and house collapses due to heavy rains.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s visit to Mathura to attend an event was cancelled due to waterlogging at the venue and he later addressed the event virtually.
The IMD predicted light to moderate rains with isolated heavy rainfall with thunderstorm and lightning over Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh until the 25th.
Schools to Remain Shut in Noida, Aligarh, Lucknow, Other Districts in UP
All government and private schools till class 8 across Noida and Greater Noida in Gautam Buddh Nagar will remain closed on Friday due to rains, an official order announced on Thursday. Schools in Aligarh, Kanpur, Sitapur, Bahraich, Unnao and the capital Lucknow will also remain shut on Friday due to rains, as per Navbharat Times.
Heavy Rains Predicted Over MP, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted a “heavy rainfall spell over Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and East Rajasthan” for the next few days.
(With agency inputs)
