At Least 10 Flights To Delhi Diverted Amid Heavy Rain, Many Areas Waterlogged

New Delhi:

At least 10 flights headed to Delhi were diverted after the national capital saw heavy rain this evening, with the weather office saying that clouds have converged over the city “from all four sectors”. There have been reports of house collapses in several parts of the city, including in Chandni Chowk’s Sadar Bazar, where a person is reportedly trapped. 

Waterlogging was reported from several areas, bringing back haunting memories of the flooded basement at a coaching centre in Rajinder Nagar on Saturday in which three students were killed. The road on which the coaching centre is located has been flooded again and visuals from the area show people wading through knee-deep water.  

#WATCH | AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak with the MCD team at the water logging spot of Old Rajinder Nagar Area, after heavy rainfall.

(Source: MLA Office) pic.twitter.com/OrliW2jfj3

— ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2024

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena said he has asked all officers to remain alert and address issues in sites prone to waterlogging, including areas where coaching centres are located.  

Have cautioned all officers to remain alert in light of the ongoing heavy downpour in Delhi. Apart from ensuring minimum inconvenience to people in general, they are advised to specifically address issues at sites prone to waterlogging, including coaching centres.

— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) July 31, 2024

“Have cautioned all officers to remain alert in light of the ongoing heavy downpour in Delhi. Apart from ensuring minimum inconvenience to people in general, they are advised to specifically address issues at sites prone to waterlogging, including coaching centres,” Mr Saxena posted on X. 

Among the places that have seen heavy waterlogging along with long traffic jams are the Income Tax Office (ITO) junction, Connaught Place, Minto Road and the Moti Bagh flyover. The pass under the Minto Bridge is among several underpasses that have been shut and videos from Chandni Chowk showed shopkeepers’ wares floating in the water that has been accumulated in the area. Reports of trees falling have also come in from several parts of the capital. 

The India Meteorological Office posted on X around 7 pm that Delhi would witness light to moderate rainfall with isolated intense to very intense spells for two hours. 

“Clouds have converged over Delhi from all 4 sectors. Widespread Light/Moderate Rainfall with isolated Intense to very intense Spell (3-5cm/hr) likely over Delhi during next 2 hours,” the weather office’s handle said.

Mayur Vihar in East Delhi saw 119 mm of rain between 8.30 am and 8.30 pm today while 118 mm of rain was recorded by the National Center For Medium Range Weather Forecasting in Noida.

Clouds have converged over Delhi from all 4 sectors. Widespread Light/Moderate Rainfall with isolated Intense to very intense Spell (3-5cm/hr) likely over Delhi during next 2 hours. @moesgoi@ndmaindia@DDNewslive@airnewsalerts@AkashvaniAIRpic.twitter.com/5S8OhOMhPp

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) July 31, 2024

Several airlines, including Air India, Vistara, IndiGo and SpiceJet, have issued advisories about flights being diverted or asking passengers to leave early and check the status of their flights. 

#6ETravelAdvisory : We have a special announcement straight from the heavenly skies! The rain gods have decided to shower #Delhi with their blessings tonight. As a result, we’re expecting heavy rainfall throughout the night ⛈ Check your flight status here https://t.co/rpnOvAOxQl

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) July 31, 2024

“The rain gods have decided to shower #Delhi with their blessings tonight. As a result, we’re expecting heavy rainfall throughout the night. Check your flight status here https://bit.ly/3DNYJqj ,” IndiGo posted on X.

Vistara said flight UK998 from Pune to Delhi had been diverted to Lucknow while Air India advised its guests to start early for the airport.