Delhi rains flood roads; West Bengal on alert as low-pressure system intensifies

Delhi-NCR Chokes Under Heavy Rain

Delhi woke up to a watery chaos on Friday as relentless rain lashed the national capital and its surrounding regions, flooding roads and throwing daily life out of gear. Commuters faced hours of delays, with waterlogging reported across major stretches, from ITO to Rajouri Garden, and several underpasses shut for traffic.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the city, warning of more intense spells through the day. Social media filled with videos of cars half-submerged in brown water and pedestrians wading knee-deep through streets that resembled rivers.

Wall Collapse Adds to Woes

In northwest Delhi, a wall collapsed under the pressure of the downpour, damaging several vehicles parked nearby. No injuries have been reported so far, but local authorities have cordoned off the area and are assessing the damage. Officials have not yet confirmed the exact number of vehicles affected or the cause of the collapse beyond the heavy rain.

The deluge also disrupted public transport. "No cabs, waterlogging everywhere," tweeted one frustrated commuter, echoing the sentiment of thousands stranded at bus stops and metro stations. Auto-rickshaws were scarce, and those that did ply charged exorbitant fares.

Makeshift Rafts for Schoolchildren

In one of the more striking images of the day, locals in a flooded Delhi neighbourhood were seen using a makeshift raft to ferry schoolchildren across a waterlogged street. The improvised vessel, made of plastic tubs and wooden planks, moved slowly through the murky water as parents watched anxiously from the pavement.

The scene underscored the city's vulnerability to even moderate rainfall, with drainage systems choking under years of neglect and plastic waste. Civic bodies have deployed pumps to clear water from critical points, but the sheer volume of rain has overwhelmed the infrastructure.

West Bengal Braces for More Showers

Meanwhile, the IMD has flagged a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal that is likely to intensify, bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall to West Bengal over the next 48 hours. Districts like Howrah, Hooghly, and parts of Kolkata are expected to receive significant precipitation, with the system moving northwestwards.

Local administrations have been put on alert, with disaster management teams kept on standby. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, and residents in low-lying areas have been urged to stay indoors. The state has had a particularly wet monsoon this year, and additional rain could exacerbate flooding in already saturated regions.

What's Next

For Delhi, the rain is expected to taper off by Saturday evening, according to the IMD, but waterlogging may persist in low-lying areas. In West Bengal, the low-pressure system is likely to peak over the weekend, and residents are advised to follow official updates. As climate patterns grow more erratic, urban planners face the urgent task of making cities more resilient to such extreme weather events.