Delhi, Gurugram, John Kerry's visit brought to a halt by hellish rains

Heavy rains on Wednesday morning caused waterlogging in many areas and massive traffic jams in New Delhi and Gurugram. Many people got stuck on the roads. There has been severe waterlogging and flooding in RK Puram, Mandi House, Vijay Chowk, reported ANI.Traffic helpline officials told IANS that they were flooded with calls about traffic jams and waterlogging across the national capital."Reports of heavy traffic congestion and vehicles being stuck on roads are coming from different parts of the city since morning. We have till now received more than 100 calls of traffic jams and waterlogging," an official of the traffic helpline said.According to American Embassy sources, US Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to three religious sites in Delhi has been cancelled due to heavy rains.However, Kerry's event at IIT-Delhi, where he will be interacting with students, has been delayed by an hour due to heavy rainfall, reported ANI.The meteorological department said the city received 3.9 mm rain till 8.30 am.The minimum temperature on Wednesday morning was recorded at 26 degree Celsius, one notch below the season's average."The sky will be generally cloudy throughout the day," an official of the India Meteorological Department said.The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 32 degree Celsius.The rains have stalled the traffic movement in the national capital and several parts of Gurugram.Also, Hyderabad, Lucknow and some parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh have also been witnessing incessant rains since early Wednesday. The rains brought down the temperature and ended a brief spell of hot and humid weather over the last one week in Hyderabad.Officials of the regional Met department said the rains would continue throughout the day. Due to the rains that started around 4 am and continued for almost three hours, severe water logging has also been reported from the old city and many low-lying areas.At many places, including posh Gomtinagar, the choked drains overflowed on to the roads, leading to problems for school going children and their parents.At many schools, the attendance also dipped to 40-50 percent owing to the rains at school timings. Early morning flights were delayed briefly.With inputs from agencies