Delhi Rain Chaos: 81 Waterlogging Calls, 32 Fallen Trees Choke Roads Across City

Hours of heavy rain caused widespread waterlogging, uprooted trees and severe traffic congestion across the national capital on Friday, disrupting movement on several major roads. The Public Works Department received 66 waterlogging complaints and 17 reports of fallen trees, while the New Delhi Municipal Council recorded 15 waterlogging calls and 15 tree-fall complaints. Together, the two agencies handled 81 waterlogging reports and 32 complaints involving fallen trees.

South and southeast Delhi were among the worst-affected parts of the city, with flooding reported in Mahipalpur, Chhatarpur, Okhla, Sangam Vihar, Sainik Farms, Vasant Kunj, Vasant Vihar, Malviya Nagar and Greater Kailash-II. The Mehrauli-Badarpur Road became a significant trouble spot after water accumulated along portions of the route. Commuters travelling through Khanpur, Deoli and Ambedkar Nagar also encountered delays, while long queues developed around Mahipalpur and roads leading towards Dhaula Kuan.

Congestion soon extended beyond individual flooded stretches as traffic slowed on Ring Road, National Highway 48 and Mathura Road. Bottlenecks were also reported around Ashram, ITO, Dhaula Kuan and several roads in central Delhi. The heavily used Gurugram-Dhaula Kuan corridor witnessed prolonged queues, and motorists attempting to avoid one congested road often encountered another. Parts of east Delhi, including Shakarpur, Mandawali, Mayur Vihar, Gandhi Nagar and Krishna Nagar, also experienced waterlogging and slow-moving traffic.

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The disruption followed an intense spell of rainfall, particularly across southern Delhi. Between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m., Pushp Vihar recorded 111.5 millimetres of rain, while Chhatarpur received 104.5 millimetres. Ayanagar registered 87.4 millimetres, followed by Palam at 73.5 millimetres, Janakpuri at 68 millimetres, Pusa at 59.5 millimetres and Safdarjung at 57.3 millimetres. The heavy rainfall placed considerable pressure on roads and drainage systems within a relatively short period.

Delhi Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Verma said several affected locations were undergoing drainage or other infrastructure work. Responding to criticism from the Opposition, he acknowledged that ongoing construction could create temporary difficulties. He also alleged that some videos being circulated by Opposition parties showed older problems rather than conditions recorded during Friday’s rainfall, claiming that many of those issues had remained unresolved under previous administrations.

The Delhi government has maintained that drainage improvement and desilting measures helped several traditional waterlogging hotspots perform better during the monsoon. Verma cited Minto Bridge and other vulnerable underpasses as examples where preparedness efforts had produced results. Friday’s rain, however, created a broader challenge as flooding and congestion emerged across numerous corridors simultaneously, turning arterial and connecting roads into a network of choke points and causing widespread delays throughout the day.

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