New Delhi: Heavy rainfall battered the national capital on Friday, flooding low-lying areas, disrupting traffic on major roads and leaving several neighbourhoods waterlogged as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the city.
As incessant rain continued throughout the day, dramatic scenes emerged from Fatehpur Beri in south Delhi, where residents struggled to cope with severe flooding. In Valmiki Basti, some people waded through waist-deep water, while others used a large blue plastic sheet as a makeshift raft to carry schoolchildren safely across submerged lanes.
The heavy downpour led to traffic snarls across several parts of the city, with commuters facing long delays due to waterlogged roads.
Residents of Valmiki Basti said the area has been experiencing flooding for decades. They blamed the recurring problem on an incomplete stormwater drainage system and alleged encroachments downstream, which they said have hampered the free flow of rainwater.
The IMD has advised residents to remain cautious as heavy rainfall is expected to continue, with authorities monitoring the situation in vulnerable areas.
