Delhi wakes up to heavy rain as IMD issues orange alert for thunderstorms

Heavy rain drenched parts of the national capital on Thursday morning, prompting the weather office to issue an orange alert forecasting moderate to heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms through the day.

The downpour brought much-needed relief from the sultry weather.

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 26.6 degree Celsius, 1.3 notches below the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department.

Minimum temperature falls below normal

The maximum temperature is likely to settle around 32 degrees.

The city's air quality was recorded in the "satisfactory" category at 9 am, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 84, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.

According to the CPCB, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 to 100 "satisfactory", 101 to 200 "moderate", 201 to 300 "poor", 301 to 400 "very poor", and 401 to 500 "severe".

Police issues 'work-from-home' advisory

Intermittent heavy rain since the early hours of Thursday morning brought relief from the humid heat but also caused hardship for residents and commuters, with most parts of Gurugram waterlogged, triggering traffic jams, including on the Delhi-Jaipur highway.

Following heavy downpours beginning around 2.40 am, Gurugram police issued an advisory urging corporate establishments and private institutions to allow employees to work from home. Police have appealed to the public via social media not to step out unnecessarily and to use alternative routes.

"The Meteorological Department has maintained a heavy rain alert for the next few hours. We strongly urge the corporate sector and private establishments to allow their employees to 'work from home' today. A reduction in the movement of non-essential vehicles will greatly assist our traffic management teams in maintaining smooth traffic flow and ensuring the uninterrupted operation of emergency services," police said in the advisory.

Waterlogging at major intersections

Due to the rain, waterlogging has occurred at various major intersections and service lanes, including Rajiv Chowk, IFFCO Chowk, Sohna Road, and the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway.

Commuters said the situation worsened during the morning rush hour, with vehicles crawling.

School students and office workers faced difficulties and inordinate delays reaching their destinations, residents said.

They said major roads turn into ponds as soon as the rains begin, even though grand claims are made every year about cleaning drains and improving the drainage system.

Sohna records highest rainfall

According to an official statement and the 24-hour rainfall report, Sohna recorded the highest rainfall at 110 mm, and Gurugram recorded 97 mm. Harsaru and Kadipur sub-tehsils both recorded 74 mm of rainfall, while Wazirabad tehsil recorded 55 mm and Manesar recorded 54 mm. Badshahpur sub-tehsil recorded lower rainfall at 13 mm, while Farukh Nagar and Pataudi recorded 7 mm and 6 mm, respectively.

"In anticipation of potential heavy traffic caused by waterlogging following continuous heavy rainfall since morning, all Station House Officers (SHOs) have been directed to manage traffic flow on the streets. Traffic is moving smoothly across most parts of the city. In areas where traffic is slow due to heavy rain or other factors, Gurugram Police teams are making every possible effort to ensure smooth traffic movement,” said Sibash Kabiraj, Commissioner of Police, Gurugram.