HEAVY downpour disrupts normal life in Delhi, NCR

NORMAL LIFE including economic activities were disrupted in Delhi and National Capital Region on  Wednesday, August 20 due to heavy downpour. Several localities in Delhi and satellite cities of Gurugram, Noida and Ghaziabad were inundated. Streets and underpasses were waterlogged causing traffic build-up in many areas. In its weather forecast issued by the Met department said there will be an “intense rainfall spell over central parts of the country during the next five days”. The India Meteorological Department has warned of more showers in the city on Thursday as well and has cautioned against “major traffic disruption” and “increased chance” of road accidents due to heavy waterlogging. The Safdarjung Observatory, which provides representative figures for the city, recorded 46 mm rainfall between 8:30 am on Wednesday and 8:30 am on Thursday, news channels reported.  Another spell of moderate rain will continue till August 25, says IMD. The overnight rain brought down the temperature to 27 degrees. Heavy traffic disruption was reported on Narela-Bawana road, Raja Garden flyover, Kasturba Underpass, MB Rad, Jhandewalan Mandir, Jhilmil underpass, Azadpur vegetable market, Sarai Pipal Thala, Jahangirpuri and Madanpur Khadar.”Waterlogging reported at Jhilmil Underpass (both carriageways). Traffic is affected now,” informed the Delhi Police on Twitter.