Severe Rainfall Causes Flooding and Traffic Chaos in Delhi
Impact of Heavy Rainfall in Delhi
On Tuesday, July 28, Delhi experienced torrential rain, leading to significant flooding in various areas, inundated markets, and extensive traffic jams. Many schoolchildren had to navigate through waterlogged streets, with key commercial zones like Connaught Place also affected. Following the rainfall, political tensions escalated between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding the city's monsoon preparedness.
Saurabh Bhardwaj, the head of AAP's Delhi unit, shared a video of Sadar Bazaar on the social media platform X, criticizing the BJP government. He claimed that parents had to carry their children on their shoulders due to waist-deep water. He noted that students were struggling to pass through the flooded streets of one of Delhi's largest wholesale markets.
He expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, stating that the younger generation would remember the BJP for this situation. He further alleged that the flooding caused significant inconvenience for commuters and shopkeepers, with many vehicles stranded in the water.
In response, Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Pravesh Sahib Singh posted a video of Minto Bridge on X, asserting that traffic remained normal despite the continuous rain. The government aims to ensure that the monsoon does not lead to disruptions. The coaching hub in Rajendra Nagar also faced severe flooding, reminiscent of last year's incident where three civil service aspirants lost their lives when their coaching institute's basement flooded. Numerous cars, motorcycles, and auto-rickshaws were partially submerged in the area.
Narrow lanes in Sadar Bazaar were filled with water up to the knees, forcing residents and schoolchildren to wade through dirty water and floating debris. Several shops were inundated, impacting business operations.
Paramjit Singh Pamma, president of the Sadar Bazaar Traders Association, reported that flooding persisted until evening, leading to the closure of many shops and damage to goods due to rainwater. He expressed concern for traders ahead of Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, and Independence Day. Significant flooding was also observed in Connaught Place and Janpath Market.
According to the New Delhi Traders Association, water remained in parts of G Block, A Block, and the Outer Circle until around 1 PM, disrupting commercial activities. Traffic was slow in many areas due to flooding. Long jams were reported near the Ghazipur border (UP Gate), NH-09, ITO, Azadpur, Malviya Nagar, Prahladpur, and Kalindi Kunj.
Flooding was also reported on Tolstoy Marg, Bharat Mandapam Road, Hanuman Road, and Mathura Road near ITO, where office-goers were seen waiting for buses in knee-deep water. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, predicting continued downpours throughout the day. The Delhi Government School Principals and Vice-Principals Association noted that students in the morning shift arrived before the weather worsened, while attendance for the afternoon shift, starting at 1 PM, was around 50%.
The Municipal Corporation (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and PWD received over 100 complaints related to flooding, fallen trees, and power outages.