Climate Change

Dry spell ends but rains catch Delhi unprepared

It rained relief — and a little bit of nightmare — in Delhi. The delayed monsoon brought in the same story as every year: Submerged roads and traffic jams. At least 3 people died

Vikas Choudhary
It finally poured in Delhi July 18 and 19, 2021. The city’s first spell of rain pulled the mercury down by several notches, but also proved to be a nightmare for pedestrians and motorists as several streets were submerged in water. Photo: Vikas Choudhary
The heavy showers led to several roads being inundated, the Delhi Traffic Police said. A portion of the road caved in the city’s Dwarka region and car got stuck in it. No injuries were reported. Photo: Vikas Choudhary
Minto Bridge, Pul Prahladpur, Zakhira, Moolchand and Peeragarhi were among the stretches that were waterlogged in the city. The Pul Prahladpur underpass was blocked with water; a 27-year-old man drowned after he tried to cross the waterlogged underpass. Photo: Vikas Choudhary
The city received 69.9 millimetres of rain in 24 hours; the temperature dropped to 26.5 degrees Celsius from 36.4°C the previous day. This was eight degrees below normal for this time this year, according to India Me-teorological Department (IMD). Photo: Vikas Choudhary
The IMD said the rainfall deficit of nearly 51 per cent that the national capital had recorded till July 17 was nearly covered. It added that moderate rain would continue through July 20. Photo: Vikas Choudhary