Heavy Rains Cause Chaos in Delhi, Schools Closed

Delhi faced a tough situation on August 1, 2024, as heavy rain pounded the city, disrupting normal life. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for the national capital due to the severe weather.

Residents were urged to stay indoors and avoid areas known for waterlogging. Many woke up to clear skies, but water was still pooling in various spots after the intense downpour the previous day.

The IMD reported that some regions witnessed an astonishing 112.5 mm of rain within just one hour. This kind of heavy rain is referred to as a ‘cloudburst’ and is not uncommon during the monsoon season.

With schools closing for the day, the Directorate of Education announced that all government and private schools would remain shut. The severe weather resulted in delays for flights departing from Delhi, with a number of diversions taking place.

Along with the closures, the roads of Delhi took a big hit, with major streets like the Delhi-Noida Expressway and Mathura Road getting heavily congested due to the flooding. Residents reported being stuck in traffic jams for hours, trying to navigate through the waterlogged areas.

In particular, neighborhoods such as Old Rajinder Nagar saw protests from students, still upset following the tragic deaths of three civil aspirants due to flooding in their coaching institute’s basement last week. The heavy rains brought back concerns about safety and infrastructure.

As rain continues to fall, the IMD forecasts that the wet weather will stick around until August 5. Residents should remain cautious and updated on the situation as conditions may worsen further.