NEW DELHI: Delhi has swiftly shifted from blistering heat to inundated streets within a mere 24 hours, as extreme weather conditions continue to pummel the city. After enduring scorching temperatures nearing 50 degrees Celsius, Delhiites are now grappling with unprecedented rainfall that has triggered severe waterlogging and chaos across the capital.
In an unusual turn of events, Delhi received a record-breaking 228.1 mm of rainfall over just 24 hours, far surpassing the city's average rainfall for the entire month of June. The downpour, which amounted to a 266 percent departure from normal seasonal expectations, has inundated several areas, including those near the Delhi airport where 148.5 mm of rain fell in just three hours on Friday alone.
The Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi's primary weather station, recorded 228.1 mm of rain by 8:30 am on Friday, marking the highest June rainfall in over 16 years. Other parts of the city also experienced substantial rainfall, with Lodhi Road receiving 192.8 mm, Ridge 150.4 mm, and Palam 106.6 mm during the same period.
The deluge has resurrected familiar scenes of flooded roads, submerged underpasses, and vehicles stranded in water, causing widespread disruption to daily life. Many residents have expressed frustration over the city's inadequate drainage systems, which have struggled to cope with the sudden influx of water.
Experts attribute the intensified rainfall to climate change, noting that rising global temperatures are increasing the atmosphere's moisture content, leading to more frequent and intense rain events. Sunita Narain from the Centre for Science and Environment highlighted the urgent need for climate action, emphasizing the importance of improving infrastructure resilience and public awareness to mitigate future risks.
As Delhi contends with these climatic extremes, the focus shifts to bolstering infrastructure and policies to withstand unpredictable weather patterns exacerbated by climate change. With monsoon forecasts predicting a widespread spread across the country, the imperative remains clear: proactive measures are crucial to ensuring resilience against future weather challenges.
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