Heavy downpour in the city that started early on Friday created chaos as Delhiites faced one of the worst traffic jams on heavily waterlogged roads and commuters were left stranded for hours in many areas. A minor girl lost her life in a wall collapse incident.
The roads in many areas were flooded as heavy rains started in the morning. The DND flyway, which connects Noida and Delhi, was closed for an hour due to waterlogging.
Heavy downpour led to the death of a six-year-old girl Chinki when a boundary wall of an MCD hospital in Gautam Colony, Narela, collapsed around 7.30 am. She on her way to school when the wall collapsed and she was trapped under the debris.
The rains combined with lightning and thunder started in the morning and continued through the day.
The rain gauges measured 96.1 mm of showers between 4 am and 5.30 pm, the second highest this season after the 67.9 mm rainfall recorded in 12 hours on August 12.
Improper drainage and uprooted trees led to traffic snarls on major roads. While 183 areas faced waterlogging, MCD received 17 complaints of fallen trees and 19 complaints of fallen buildings portions.
Bumper-to-bumper traffic was seen at Lakshmi-nagar, Akshardham, GK Part 1 & 2. Traffic was stopped for hours due to waterlogging at Modi Mill, Chirag Delhi and DND flyway. A tree got uprooted in front of 13, Akbar Road due to heavy rain.
However, the water level in Yamuna remained below the danger mark.
Meanwhile, more than 40 trains in Delhi division were affected due to rain.
“A stretch between Delhi–Shahdara was damaged, Old Delhi Station yard faced massive waterlogging,” said a senior Northern Railway official. Services of three trains were cancelled and as many as 39 trains were diverted or short-terminated due to waterlogging.