Record Rainfall in Delhi Results in Nine Fatalities, School Closures, and Severe Disruptions
Delhi, August 1, 2024 – The capital city of Delhi experienced unprecedented rainfall on Wednesday evening, breaking a 14-year record for single-day downpours. The torrential rain led to the tragic deaths of nine individuals, extensive waterlogging, and significant disruptions across the city. In response, schools in Delhi have been ordered to close on Thursday.
The heavy rainfall caused severe flooding, affecting traffic and leaving many citizens stranded. Among the fatalities, four occurred in Delhi, three in Gurugram, and two in Greater Noida. Tragically, a woman and her three-year-old son drowned after slipping into a waterlogged drain in east Delhi’s Ghazipur area.
In addition to road disruptions, air travel was also impacted, with ten flights destined for Delhi being diverted to Jaipur and Lucknow due to the inclement weather. IndiGo Airlines reported ongoing delays and apologized for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
Delhi Education Minister Atishi announced the closure of schools in light of the persistent rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert, forecasting continued heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning until August 5.
The national capital’s primary weather station at Safdarjung recorded 79.2 mm of rainfall within three hours. Other significant rainfall measurements included 119 mm in Mayur Vihar and 77.5 mm at Delhi University.
The heavy rains led to multiple structural collapses, including a house in north Delhi’s Sabzi Mandi area and a private school wall in Daryaganj. Traffic in key areas, such as Lutyens’ Delhi and routes to neighboring cities, was severely affected.
Citizens have been advised to stay indoors, secure their homes, and avoid unnecessary travel. The Delhi Traffic Police continue to provide updates and advisories on safe routes.
