Waterlogging brings life to a halt once again

Waterlogged roads and traffic jams threw life out of gear in Delhi on Friday after heavy rains lashed the city. HT reports. Top 10 rain hit spots

Waterlogged roads and traffic jams threw life out of gear in Delhi on Friday after heavy rains lashed the city.

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Thousands of commuters were stranded on roads for hours after traffic went haywire due to waterlogging.

Beginning early morning, rains continued the entire day. The downpour left hundreds of office-goers in the lurch because many arterial roads were submerged under knee-deep water. Cars got stuck on roads for hours.

Almost all arterial roads remained inaccessible for traffic. Improper drainage and uprooted trees led to traffic disruption on all major roads, said traffic police.

Vinod Kaul, a resident of Malviya Nagar, said: “I was going to drop my daughter at school when the downpour started. It rained a lot even last year but so much water never accumulated in this area. The drains are choked.”

Waterlogging badly affected traffic movement under Patpar-ganj Flyover, Defence Colony Flyover, at Lala Lajpat Rai Road, GTB Road, Keshav Chowk Rail-way bridge, Rafi Marg Rail Bhawan and the stretch between Patel Chest and Daulat Ram College.

Traffic snarls were also seen at Mayapuri Chowk, Naraina Road, IP flyover, Kalindi Kunj Road, PTS Malviya Nagar Road, Chatta Rail, Yusuf Sarai Road, Bhairav Road, Ashram Chowk, Hauz Khas, Niti Bagh, MB Road, Air Force Station, Nehru Place, Saket court and Lado Sarai T point. The traffic jams started around 9am and continued till late evening.

Meteorological department officials said 60.6 mm of rainfall was recorded. While the normal rainfall till September 10 is 64.3mm, 181.8mm has been recorded so far.

The minimum temperature fell to its seasonal average of 25.1°C but the maximum was below average at 28°C. Humidity was at a maximum of 98% and a minimum of 89%. The MCD received 183 complaints of waterlogging, 17 of fallen trees and 19 of damaged buildings.