Delhi weather

Delhi Goes for a Splish-Splash Adventure: Is Your Umbrella Ready?

Delhi is drenched in chaos as heavy rains unleash waterlogged roads and school closures. Grab your umbrellas, folks!

Delhi is experiencing quite a splash as the skies opened up and torrential rains turned the national capital into a veritable water park! On Wednesday evening, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert following a relentless downpour that left many areas submerged. The Mayur Vihar weather station recorded an astonishing 119mm of rainfall in just three hours, making it a record-breaking event for this year. As the rains continued unabated, traffic jams became a familiar sight across the city. Residents were advised to avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary, as roads turned into rivers.

With the incessant downpour leading to significant waterlogging, the Delhi government was compelled to take action—school closures were on the agenda for all private and government institutions on Thursday. Parents and children breathed a sigh of relief, trading school bags for water balloons! Meanwhile, with flights facing diversions and delays due to the weather chaos, air travel enthusiasts have to reconsider their travel plans for the time being. Who knew a downpour could raincheck your vacation?

Tragic incidents accompanied these heavy rains, as two individuals tragically drowned in the aftermath of the weather assault. Their unforeseen passing brings gravity to an otherwise playful scenario. While many took to social media to share hilarious videos of cats running from puddles, others called for serious discussions on urban infrastructure and disaster management in a city that seems to be caught in a loop of extreme weather events. We may be sorting through wet socks, but large-scale policy shifts need to happen to facilitate a more resilient urban environment.

Want a fun fact? Did you know that Delhi receives an average rainfall of about 800 mm annually? This means that even if the rains are overwhelming now, we've seen heavier times before. And here's a curious nugget for you: The term 'cloudburst' refers to a sudden and intense rainfall of 100mm or more in a short period, just like the deluge we witnessed recently! Stay dry, Delhiites!