Delhi-NCR battered by heavy rain: Red alert issued as roads flood, traffic paralysed

A severe spell of non-stop monsoon rain has thrown the national capital and adjoining regions into absolute chaos. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an emergency Red Nowcast Alert for Delhi-NCR, warning of intense, heavy to very heavy downpours accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over the next two hours.

While the continuous rainfall has brought complete relief from oppressive humidity, it has simultaneously crippled the region’s infrastructure. Commuters heading out for early morning shifts face gridlock, flooded subways, and heavily submerged arterial roads.

Ghaziabad hit hard by waterlogging

East Delhi and the neighbouring districts of Uttar Pradesh have borne the brunt of the latest weather system, driven by a passing low-pressure area embedded within the monsoon trough.

More from India

In Ghaziabad, massive waterlogging has been reported across key residential and commercial sectors. Major intersections have turned into virtual lakes, with water rising up to two feet in low-lying areas.

Weather forecasting agency Skymet has warned that Ghaziabad, Noida, East Delhi, Baghpat, and Meerut could receive a staggering 180 mm to 250 mm of rainfall over the next 24 hours.

The crisis is not isolated to the east. The entire National Capital Region is struggling to stay afloat after nearly 36 hours of intermittent heavy rain.

In Delhi, early morning visuals showed heavy water accumulation at Munirka, the Pitampura area, and around the New Delhi Railway Station, severely impacting pedestrian and vehicular movement.

On the western side of the NCR, Gurugram remains crippled. Following a massive 115 mm of rainfall over the last two days, a crucial section of the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway (NH-48) caved in near Narsinghpur. Traffic jams stretching over 10 kilometres have stranded thousands, forcing police to divert traffic entirely to the Dwarka Expressway.

Work-from-home advisory issued

The IMD has advised residents to avoid non-essential travel and remain indoors until the intense rain spell subsides. Authorities have warned that strong winds of up to 40 kmph, coupled with poor visibility, could worsen traffic disruptions and lead to localised power outages. Gurugram and Noida authorities have also urged private firms and corporate offices to implement work-from-home measures to reduce congestion and keep emergency routes clear.