Delhi Under Orange Alert as Unseasonal Rains Disrupt Normal Life

Delhi experienced significant rainfall on Thursday, causing temperatures to drop and resulting in an orange weather alert. This alert warns of potential disruptions to transportation and power outages. The city has recorded a 57% increase in seasonal rainfall. Traffic has been heavily affected due to waterlogging and potholes.

Parts of the national capital witnessed rains on Thursday as the maximum temperature settled at 27.9 degree Celsius, six notches below normal, according to the weather department.

On Wednesday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 32.6 degrees Celsius.

The city is under an 'orange' alert, indicating a ''be prepared'' mode, as extremely bad weather is forecast.

This alert warns of potential disruptions to transport, including rail, road and air, with power outages also likely, according to the weather department.

Relative humidity oscillated between 100 per cent and 87 per cent during the day, the department added.

The city was lashed by rain following Wednesday night, with Safdarjung, the primary weather station, recording 16.3 mm of rainfall by 8.30 am. Other stations recorded 16 mm at Lodhi Road, 15 mm at Ayanagar, and 13 mm at Pitampura and SPS Mayur Vihar.

According to the India Meteorological Department, Delhi's primary weather station at Safdarjung recorded 933.6 mm of rain this season against the normal of 586.9 mm, marking a 57 per cent increase over the usual figure. September alone has seen 10 rainy days, defined as a day with 2.5 mm or more rainfall.

Several areas witnessed waterlogging and traffic jams as the police shared photos and videos to inform people about the disruptions and suggest alternate routes.

Traffic was particularly affected on Old Pankha Road, GTK Road, MB Road and Rohtak Road due to waterlogging and potholes, affecting flow in both directions.

The Weather department forecasts a generally cloudy sky with moderate rain on Friday, with maximum and minimum temperatures likely to hover around 31 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees Celsius, respectively.

(With inputs from agencies.)