Delhi Witnesses Second-Highest Single-Day May Rainfall in Over a Century, Impacting City Life

Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) witnessed a dramatic weather phenomenon early on Friday morning, recording the second-highest one-day rainfall in May since 1901. Safdarjung, the main weather station of the city, recorded a whopping 77 mm of rain in just six hours, between 2:30 am and 8:30 am. This heavy rain was followed by a massive dust storm, thunderstorm, and strong winds of up to 80 kmph, resulting in widespread disturbances such as waterlogging, felled trees, and traffic disruptions.

Heavy downpour provided welcome relief from searing heat with temperatures plummeting sharply after the storm-from near 28°C to less than 21°C in certain sections of the capital. The downpour had horrific side effects, too: Five lost their lives, among whom were a woman and her three children whose hut collapsed in Najafgarh, and one construction worker, electrocuted while taking refuge.

Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport were disrupted badly, with more than 500 flights being delayed and a few diverted because of poor visibility and gusty winds. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued a yellow alert for sustained moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms in the next few days, advising people to remain vigilant.

City authorities, such as Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, have demanded immediate measures to combat waterlogging and infrastructure issues laid bare by the storm. Meteorologists blame the rare rains on converging moisture from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, coupled with pre-monsoon thundercloud activity spurred by recent high-pressure temperatures.

Delhi prepares for more turbulent weather as the city struggles with the backwash of this record downpour.

Sources: Economic Times, Hindustan Times, Times of India