Monsoon showers lash capital after long wait

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Ending Delhiites' long wait, monsoon showers lashed the capital on Friday after a delay of eight days bringing relief from scorching heat but those on roads in evening hours were at the receiving end due to waterlogging and traffic jams.

The evening rains exposed the claims of city government and civic bodies on distilling the drains as waterlogging was reported from across the city, though officials sought to put the blame on each other.

"Yes, we can say these are monsoon rains but officially we will announce it tomorrow as we have to observe the rainfall pattern for a period of 24 hours which ends at 8:30 am tomorrow. Rains are widespread and will continue for another two-three days," Laxman Singh Rathore, Director General of Indian Meteorological Department, said.

The monsoon onset in the capital has been delayed by eight days this year. The normal monsoon onset date for Delhi is June 29.

"Finally the rains are here and we are spared of this torturous weather," said Anamika Verma, a college student.

Medium to heavy rains lashed most parts of the city in the evening hours, leading to traffic snarls at major traffic intersections and water logging. Thousands of people getting back home from office were stranded on roads across the capital.

There were rains in some parts of the capital early in the morning as well. While the maximum temperature was recorded at 38.4 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal, the minimum settled at 29.1 degrees Celsius.

Sudden rains led to waterlogging and traffic snarls in areas like Laxmi Nagar, Parliament Street, ITO, R.K. Puram, Zakhira, Kishan Ganj, Nizammudin, Tagore Garden, Akshardham, Ashram, Sarai Kaalekhan, Kashmere Gate, Shanti Van, Nigam Bodh Ghat, PHQ, Baraf Khana Chowk, Roop Nagar and Azad Market.