Heavy Rain Causes Flooding and Traffic Chaos in Delhi

On July 23, 2025, heavy rainfall in Delhi resulted in significant flooding and traffic congestion across the city. The Indian Meteorological Department issued alerts predicting continued rain, prompting residents to share their experiences on social media. Streets were submerged, trapping vehicles and affecting daily life. Authorities deployed quick response teams to manage the situation, while residents were advised to stay indoors and avoid travel. The rain also brought a welcome drop in temperature, providing some relief from the humidity. Read on for more details about the impact of this severe weather.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 23, 2025, 16:30 IST

Severe Weather Disrupts Daily Life in the Capital

On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, intense rainfall around Delhi led to significant flooding and severe traffic congestion in the national capital. Residents took to social media to share updates on the ground situation. The heavy downpour, accompanied by thunder, resulted in major traffic jams and waterlogging in various areas. According to a previous report by a news outlet, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted that light to moderate rain with thunderstorms would continue in the city.

In several neighborhoods of Delhi, streets were submerged with water up to knee-level, trapping vehicles and forcing pedestrians to wade through the flooded areas. Videos shared on social media depicted rainwater entering schools. The IMD has predicted further rainfall in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), issuing orange and red alerts for certain parts of the city due to the expected downpour.

The IMD clarified that an 'orange' alert indicates 'be prepared,' while a 'red' alert signifies the need for maximum vigilance and immediate action. By 11:30 AM, Safdarjung recorded 9.1 mm of rainfall, while Lodhi Road saw 11.2 mm and Pragati Maidan recorded 6 mm. The primary weather station in Safdarjung noted 5.6 mm of rain between 5:30 AM and 8:30 AM, with other stations reporting even higher amounts, including 16.6 mm at Pragati Maidan, 10 mm at Pusa, 9.5 mm at Janakpuri, and 2 mm at Najafgarh.

Flooding and traffic disruptions affected numerous areas in Delhi, including South Delhi, Southeast Delhi, North Delhi, ITO, South Extension, NH-8, the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, Nehru Place, East of Kailash, Colony Road, and many others. Meanwhile, officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) reported no significant flooding in frequently affected areas like the Minto Bridge underpass.

However, the flood control room received around 20 calls related to flooding. Affected locations included the Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, Old Rohtak Road, in front of the DTC depot in Nand Nagri, Okhla Main Road, and Ghazipur Murga Mandi. A PWD official stated, 'We have deployed quick response teams (QRT) with pumps to manage drainage operations at several locations since morning.'

In some areas, temporary flooding occurred but was cleared within an hour. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors, avoid travel, follow traffic updates, keep away from electric poles and wires, and refrain from standing or sitting under trees. The rain brought a drop in temperature, providing relief to residents affected by humidity.

According to the IMD, the minimum temperature was recorded at 25.6 degrees Celsius, which is 1.7 degrees below normal, while the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 33 degrees Celsius.