New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) Heavy rains lashed the capital Wednesday leading to chaos on the roads as massive traffic jams were reported from various parts of the city.
The capital received 12.8 mm of rainfall between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. causing waterlogging in most areas in south and north Delhi.
The monsoon hit the capital Monday, after a delay of six days, and so far the city has received 107.8 mm of rainfall.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the rainfall in the capital so far is 10 percent more than the normal.
Traffic snarls were reported at arterial roads leading to the airport as several vehicles broke down at Dhaula Kuan due to water logging.
The traffic was moving at a snail’s place in diplomatic area of Chanakyapuri, Vasant Vihar, Moolchand, Ashram Chowk, Moti Bagh and in parts on north Delhi. At many places traffic signals went kaput, adding further to the woes of people stuck in serpentine jams.
‘We have received several calls of traffic jam from Dhaula Kuan and our men are out managing the situation,’ said an official of the Delhi Traffic Police.
People had a harrowing time as many people returning home from office were stuck for hours.
‘I was coming from the Income Tax Office and it started pouring at Chanakyapuri. Due to waterlogging there was a huge traffic jam on Shanti Path. It took me an hour to cover a distance of less than a kilometer,’ said Ashok Sharma, a business man on his way to Vasant Kunj.
Many like Rajan Maini was getting anxious as he had to catch a flight and road leading to the airport were choked.
‘My flight is scheduled for departure at 8 p.m. and I don’t think I would make it on time. I hope it gets delayed,’ said Maini, who left his cab and started walking on foot with his luggage to reach the airport on time.
Despite rain, the maximum temperature settled at 37 degrees Celsius, a notch above the average for this time of the season while the minimum was recorded at 28 degrees Celsius.
The weather officials have forecast for one or two spells of rains Thursday.
