Delhi Deluge: Severe Waterlogging and Traffic Chaos Cause Fatalities

Heavy rainfall in Delhi on Friday caused significant disruptions, leading to severe traffic jams and extensive waterlogging. Areas like Dhaula Kuan experienced severe inundation, particularly affecting the underpass, and led to the tragic loss of three lives, including a 15-year-old boy, due to rain-related incidents.

Waterlogging was widespread across the city, with 15 complaints of traffic issues and 12 of waterlogging reported to the police by the afternoon. In Dhaula Kuan, commuters struggled through waist-deep water while dragging their two-wheelers, and the road remained heavily waterlogged.

The Public Works Department (PWD) received approximately 50 waterlogging complaints, resolving 25 so far. Some issues were directed to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), which reported 16 waterlogging complaints and five regarding fallen trees.

Major waterlogging problems were noted at the Dhaula Kuan underpass and Sanjay Enclave in Mangolpuri. The PWD is working to resolve the issues, with only a small amount of water remaining at Dhaula Kuan. Meanwhile, heavy waterlogging near Mundka Metro Station and Moti Bagh led to prolonged traffic jams.

A video shared on social media platform X showed a man in Khichripur, east Delhi, struggling through a waterlogged street and falling when his front tire got stuck in a pothole.

Delhi Police reported traffic disruptions on GTK Road near GTK Depot due to waterlogging, with diversions toward the Wazirabad side. Commuters were advised to use Road Number 51 to reach the NPL side. Traffic was also affected on RTR from Moti Bagh Chowk to Sector-8 RK Puram and on Ring Road, Vande Mataram Marg, and GGR due to waterlogging under the Dhaula Kuan flyover.

In the evening, National Highway-44 near Karnal bypass saw heavy traffic, leaving people stuck for hours. Vivek Kumar, a south Delhi resident, recounted abandoning his cab on GT Karnal Road after being stuck for over an hour and taking the metro to reach home.