New Delhi:

The torrential rain that brought Delhi to its knees last week was not a result of a cloudburst, the India Meteorological Department clarified on Monday.

Addressing a press conference, IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the Safdarjung Observatory, the city’s primary weather station, recorded 91 mm rainfall between 5 am and 6 am on June 28.

Similarly, the Lodhi Road weather station logged 64 mm from 5 am to 6 am and 89 mm from 6 am to 7 am.

“These do not warrant to be declared as cloudbursts, but it was very close to a cloudburst,” Mr Mohapatra said.

Explaining the reason behind the extreme weather event, the IMD had earlier said multiple large-scale monsoonal weather systems created conditions for mesoscale convective activity over Delhi NCR, resulting in intense thunderstorms and heavy rainfall during the early hours of June 28.

This activity was supported by thermodynamic instability in the atmosphere, which is favourable for thunderstorms.

The Safdarjung Observatory recorded 228.1 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Friday, more than three times the June rainfall average of 74.1 mm and the highest for the month in 88 years — since 1936.

The IMD defines very heavy rain as rainfall amounting to between 124.5 and 244.4 mm in a day.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Delhi residents, still recovering from the after-effects of the record-breaking downpour on Friday, must brace for more rain. The weather office has issued an orange alert for the national capital, predicting heavy rainfall today and tomorrow.

According to the India Meteorological Department’s colour-coded warning system, an orange alert asks people to be prepared for heavy rain.

The first two days of Monsoon in Delhi led to waterlogging in several low-lying areas and also claimed 11 lives. The city recorded 228.1 mm of rainfall when the Monsoon struck on Friday — the highest single-day June rainfall since 1936.

IMD scientist Soma Sen told NDTV that the Monsoon is advancing and several parts of north India are likely to receive heavy rain. “Eastern UP has been covered and in the next two-three days, western UP and Haryana will be covered,” she said.

Visuals of vehicles stuck in flooded underpasses and residents wading through water to get essential items flashed on TV screens since Friday morning. As the day progressed, news of deaths started coming in. The dead include several children, who drowned in ditches, and commuters stuck in flooded underpasses. A wall collapse incident at Vasant Vihar also claimed three lives. At Delhi airport’sTerminal -1, a portion of the canopy collapsed amid the heavy rain, crushing several cars. A cab driver, who was waiting for passengers, died in the incident.   

Waterlogging disrupted traffic movement in several areas, including the Pragati Maidan tunnel, which remained closed yesterday too.

Civic officials have said manpower has been ramped up to handle waterlogging complaints. New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) vice-chairman Satish Upadhyay told news agency PTI that four additional pumps are on standby basis at Golf Links and Bharti Nagar areas that reeled due to waterlogging on Friday.

“Three super suction machines mounted on vehicles will keep patrolling the vulnerable areas. We have also deployed additional staff and cancelled off-days of all staff,” he said. “CCTV cameras are being used to monitor vulnerable areas,” another official said.

Officials in Municipal Corporation of Delhi said their central control room is working round the clock. “In total, 72 permanent pumping stations were functional and working as per requirement, in addition 465 mobile/submersible pumps of different capacities were arranged to clear waterlogging. Manpower was adequately deployed in tandem with machines for quick release of water,” an official told PTI.

Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has inspected the most-affected areas and drainage systems, a statement said. Mr Saxena found drains choked with garbage, debris and sludge, it added.

Weather experts have flagged extreme weather events in the national capital over the past few years. They have noted that Delhi receives around 650 mm of rainfall during Monsoon. And weather data shows the city received one-third of this on the first day alone.

New Delhi:

Heavy to very heavy rain is likely across the national capital this weekend, the India Meteorological Department said as parts of the city were lashed by showers on Friday, bringing Delhiites much-needed respite from heat.

In its weather bulletin, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) mentioned that a thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with speeds reaching 30 to 40 kmph is very likely at isolated places over Delhi and neighbouring states this weekend.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places across Delhi on June 29 and June 30, it said.

According to the IMD, heavy rain is defined as rainfall amounting to between 64.5 mm and 124.4 mm in a day while very heavy rain is defined as rainfall amounting to between 124.5 mm and 244.4 mm in a day.

On Wednesday, an independent weather agency had said, “Monsoon is expected to reach Delhi on the weekend.” The weather department has predicted localized flooding of roads, water logging in low-lying areas and closure of underpasses due to very heavy rainfall in Delhi on June 29 and 30.

The monsoon current typically enters Delhi between June 27 and 29. Last year, it arrived on June 26 while the first monsoon showers of 2022 were recorded on June 30, according to official data.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

At least one person was killed and six others injured after a portion of the roof of the Delhi airport’s Terminal-1 collapsed on cars amid heavy rain this morning. All departures from Terminal 1 have been temporarily suspended, and check-in counters closed as a “safety measure”, a Delhi airport spokesperson said. Terminal-1 has only domestic flight operations.

The spokesperson also said that all departing flights from T1 of IndiGo and SpiceJet are cancelled till 2 pm today.

Many vehicles, including cabs, were damaged in the incident that was reported to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) around 5.30 am. The officials said the roof sheet and the support beams collapsed, damaging the cars parked in the pick-up and drop area of the terminal at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world.

During the rescue operations, a man was taken out from a car on which an iron beam had fallen.

In an official statement, Delhi airport said that a portion of the canopy at the old Departure forecourt of Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1 collapsed “due to heavy rain since early this morning”.

“There are injuries reported, and emergency personnel are working to provide all necessary assistance and medical aid to those affected. As a result of this incident, all departures from Terminal 1 are temporarily suspended, and check-in counters are closed as a safety measure. We sincerely regret this disruption and apologize for any inconvenience caused,” the statement read.

Terminal 1 Incident pic.twitter.com/Dv9Sir5l4p

— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) June 28, 2024

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he was “personally monitoring” the roof collapse incident at the Delhi airport and that the injured have been hospitalised.

“First responders are working at the site. Also advised the airlines to assist all affected passengers at T1. The injured have been evacuated to hospital,” the newly-elected minister posted on X.

Personally monitoring the roof collapse incident at T1 Delhi Airport. First responders are working at site. Also advised the airlines to assist all affected passengers at T1. The injured have been evacuated to hospital. Rescue operations are still ongoing.

— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) June 28, 2024

Indigo Cancels Flights As Roof Collapses At Delhi Airport

IndiGo said that its flight operations were impacted due to structural damage to Terminal 1 at Delhi Airport. In a statement, the low-cost carrier said that the incident has led to flight cancellations in Delhi as “passengers are not able to enter the terminal”.

“Passengers already inside the terminal will be able to board their planned flights, but those with flights later in the day will be offered alternatives,” an IndiGo spokesperson said.

“This unplanned situation has also led to operations across the network being impacted. Customers are advised to keep track of and confirm their flight status before leaving for the airport,” the statement added.

Heavy Rain In Delhi

Delhi today received heavy rain for the second consecutive day. Rain, which brought respite from the scorching heat, also caused waterlogging in several parts of the national capital.

Visuals shared by the news agency ANI on X showed roads inundated and long traffic in parts of Delhi. 

#WATCH | Delhi: Roads inundated as heavy rain continues in parts of National Capital

(Visuals from Govindpuri) pic.twitter.com/9idnGwx0nb

— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024

A car was also seen submerged at Minto Road.

#WATCH | A car submerged in water and roads heavily flooded due to continuous downpour in Delhi

(Visuals from Minto Road) pic.twitter.com/reJQPlzfbQ

— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024

The Safdarjung Observatory, the capital’s primary weather station, recorded 154 mm of rainfall between yesterday and today morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

On Thursday, rain in Delhi brought the temperature down to 35.4 degrees Celsius.

New Delhi:

Parts of Delhi today received heavy rain, bringing relief from the prevailing sultry conditions. Visuals shared by the news agency ANI showed heavy downpours in Munirka, Sarita Vihar, and other parts of the national capital with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting more showers during the day.

#WATCH | Parts of Delhi receive heavy rainfall, bringing respite from heat.

Visuals from Sarita Vihar area. pic.twitter.com/OHkSOURVpB

— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2024

“Light to moderate intensity rain and gusty winds with speed of 30-40 Km/h would occur over and adjoining areas of few places of Delhi during the next two hours,” the IMD said in a post on X at 7:30 AM.

The weather agency also predicted rain over Ghaziabad, Noida, and Gurugram.

Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad) Panipat, Gohana, Gannaur (Haryana) Baraut, Bagpat, Meerut, Khekra, Modinagar, Pilakhua, Hapur, Gulaoti (U.P.) during next 2 hours. pic.twitter.com/qJ95g6K1SA

— RWFC New Delhi (@RWFC_ND) June 27, 2024

The much-awaited rain came after Delhi and other parts of north India witnessed weeks of intense spells of heatwave.

Delhi had been reeling from the sweltering heat and has recorded nine heatwave days in June so far against none in 2023 and 2022.

Earlier on Wednesday, the IMD predicted that Delhi’s maximum and minimum temperatures today would be around 38 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius, respectively.

The Safdarjung Observatory, the capital’s primary weather station, had recorded a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, two notches above normal.

Monsoon Expected To Arrive In Delhi By End Of This Week

The monsoon could arrive in Delhi by the end of this week, a private weather agency forecast on Wednesday.

According to Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather Services, “The monsoon is expected to reach Delhi on June 29 or 30.” 

The IMD, however, has not shared any details of when the monsoon current is likely to enter the capital.

The monsoon current typically enters the city between June 27 and June 29. Last year, it arrived on June 26 while the first monsoon showers of 2022 were recorded on June 30.

New Delhi:

Two people were killed and 23 others injured after trees fell and buildings were damaged during the massive dust and thunderstorm that hit Delhi-NCR on Friday. 

According to the Delhi police, 152 calls reporting uprooted trees and 55 calls about damages to buildings were received after the dust storm on Friday. Over 200 residents also reported power outages.

Thunderstorms and strong winds also caused traffic disruptions and flight diversions in the city. According to airport officials, nine flights heading to Delhi were diverted to Jaipur. Traffic was affected in several areas due to poor visibility and uprooted trees. 

Light rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm and lightning also likley over south Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, south-east Arunachal pradesh, south-east Assam, manipur south interior karnataka and Kerala during next 3 hours.

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 11, 2024

Several cars were also damaged in Sector 58 of Noida after a shuttering installed to repair a building fell on the vehicles, news agency ANI reported.

The weather department has predicted more rain and thunderstorms in the national capital today. Delhi-NCR residents woke up to light rain and cloudy skies on Saturday morning after the city reeled under high temperatures and humidity for several days.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, more rain along with thunderstorms are expected in the national capital this morning. “Light rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm and lightning also likely over south Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, south-east Arunachal Pradesh, south-east Assam, Manipur south, interior Karnataka and Kerala during next 3 hours,” it said in a post on X.

The weather department has predicted light rain over most of north India and some southern states. Light rain is expected in Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan, while Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka may receive moderate rain.

The India Meteorological Department said that winds with over 50 kmph were reported at 10 pm on Friday. “Gusty Winds (at 2200 hrs IST of today) reported (kmph) over Delhi: Ujwa 77 kmph; Jafarpur 57 kmph; Lodhi road 61 kmph; Pragati Maidan 63 kmph; Pitampura 57 kmph; Narayana 50 kmph; Najafgarh 40 kmph,” the IMD posted on X. The weather department also advised residents to stay indoors, secure windows and refrain from unnecessary travel.

According to the IMD, the maximum temperature on Friday settled at 39 degrees Celsius in Delhi while the humidity rose to 64% during the day.

New Delhi:

Several parts of Delhi, including the Pragati Maidan area which is hosting the 18th G20 Leaders’ Summit, witnessed heavy rainfall today. 

The weather office has predicted that light to moderate-intensity rain with thunderstorms would continue over the national capital and adjoining areas. The maximum temperature in Delhi in the last 24 hours was 32 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature was 24 degrees Celsius, according to the IMD.

Visuals from Bharat Mandapam, the stage for the mega G20 Summit, showed heavy rainfall pounding the building. The heavy rain in the national capital has led to waterlogging in several areas, making it a challenge for the authorities.

Light rain fell in several areas of Delhi, including Safdarjung, the airport, Rajghat, Vasant Kunj, Munirka, Narela, and others, on Saturday night and continued until Sunday morning.

3 hourly rainfall sheet of Delhi @moesgoi@airnewsalerts@ndmaindia@DDNewslivepic.twitter.com/2Sx6xgj7lw

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) September 10, 2023

“Light to moderate intensity rain with thunderstorm moderate intensity rain over few places would continue to occur over and adjoining areas of entire Delhi and NCR ( Loni Dehat, Hindon AF Station, Bahadurgarh, Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Noida, Dadri, Gurugram, Faridabad, Manesar, Ballabhgarh),” IMD shared in a post on social media platform, X. 

The weather office has also predicted rain in some parts of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. 

The Regional Meteorological Centre in Delhi on Sunday predicted that light to moderate intensity rain with thunderstorms will continue over Delhi and adjoining areas. 

“Light to moderate intensity rain with thunderstorm moderate intensity rain over few places would continue to occur over and adjoining areas of entire Delhi and NCR ( Loni Dehat, Hindon AF Station, Bahadurgarh, Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Noida, Dadri, Gurugram, Faridabad, Manesar, Ballabhgarh),” IMD shared in a post on social media platform, X. 

According to an IMD statement, the maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi in the last 24 hours have been 32 and 24 degree Celsius respectively. 

Meanwhile, parts of Delhi received light rain on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. 

Several areas of the city including Safdarjung, airport, Rajghat, Vasant Kunj, Munirka, Narela, etc. received light rain on Saturday night which continued till Sunday early morning. 

More rainfall is expected to lash Delhi in the next couple of days, as per the weather forecast, bringing further respite from the humid weather conditions that persisted in the national capital for the last few days. 

IMD has also forecasted rain in several districts of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

“Mattanhail, Jhajjar, Farukhnagar, Kosali (Haryana) Sikandrabad, Bulandshahar, Shikarpur, Pahasu, Debai, Narora, Atrauli, Iglas, Raya, Hathras, Mathura, Jalesar, Sadabad, Agra, Jajau (U.P.) during next 2 hours,” IMD said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)