New Delhi: Monsoon has made a forceful entrance across India, significantly impacting the national capital, New Delhi, with plummeting temperatures and torrential rain. However, alongside the relief from heat, the city grapples with severe waterlogging issues exacerbated by the heavy downpours. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for continued heavy rainfall over the next two days, extending the alert till July 4 for Delhi and neighboring regions.Highest rainfall since 1936 The first two days of monsoon in Delhi led to waterlogging in many low-lying areas and claimed 11 lives. On Friday, when the monsoon arrived, the city recorded 228.1 mm of rain - the highest rainfall in a single day in June since 1936.Monsoon brought unprecedented deluge The monsoons arrival on Friday brought an unprecedented deluge, registering 228.1 mm of rainfall, the highest for June since 1936. This intense rainfall led to widespread waterlogging, claiming several lives and disrupting daily life across various parts of the city.City recorded 9 mm of rainfall IMD forecasts cloudy weather and further heavy rains through Monday and Tuesday, with moderate showers and thunderstorms expected Sunday night. As of Sunday evening, the city recorded 9 mm of rainfall, accompanied by a humidity level of 60 percent.Efforts to mitigate waterlogging issues In response to the crisis, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has escalated efforts to mitigate waterlogging issues. Additional staff have been deployed to handle complaints, with enhanced monitoring via CCTV in prominent areas like Lutyens Delhi. NDMC Vice Chairman Satish Upadhyay announced the deployment of extra pumps in severely affected areas such as Golf Links and Bharti Nagar, while super suction vehicles remain on patrol to manage vulnerable zones.Air Quality Index on Sunday Despite the heavy rains, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi measured 118 on Sunday evening, categorized as moderate. This indicates that while the rains have temporarily improved air quality, challenges remain in maintaining environmental standards amid the monsoon seasons unpredictability.Several died due to rain Amidst the chaos, Delhis Terminal-1 at the airport faced its own crisis as a section of the roof collapsed under the weight of the incessant downpour, burying several parked cars beneath the rubble. Tragically, a cab driver who was awaiting passengers at the time also perished in the incident. The days events underscored the severe impact of the monsoon in Delhi, highlighting vulnerabilities in infrastructure and the tragic consequences of extreme weather conditions.Disrupted traffic in several areas Waterlogging disrupted traffic in several areas, including the Pragati Maidan tunnel, which remained closed on Saturday as well. Municipal officials have said that the number of staff has been increased to deal with complaints of waterlogging. New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) vice-chairman Satish Upadhyay told news agency PTI that four additional pumps are on standby in Golf Links and Bharti Nagar areas, which faced waterlogging on Friday.
