Delhi made weather history by recording its highest single-day December rainfall in over a century. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi received 41.2mm of rainfall in just 24 hours, and that marked a record-breaking weather event. This record transcends previous records of the highest rainfall of 75.7mm on December 3, 1923.
The IMD marked this significant rainfall as an active western disturbance enhancing easterly winds, resulting in moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms in Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR). The rainfall started late Thursday night and continued until Friday, causing a sharp drop in the temperature to 14.6°C. They have, therefore, helped in affording some respite from scorching heat and air pollution that often plagues the city during the winter seasons.
However, the rainfall has also affected the nature of life in Delhi in various ways. Traffic congestion and people’s inconvenience have been witnessed due to waterlogging in some areas such as Lajpat Nagar and Vasant Vihar. There have been several accounts of uprooted trees and some cases of road collapse, especially in RK Puram where a bike and a car submerged into a hole created by the rains.
Nevertheless, the flooding has not been without some benefits, one of which is the ability to drastically reduce hazardous air pollution that Delhi has been experiencing. The Air Quality Index (AQI) fell down to ‘Moderate’ with a score of 179 providing a slight reprieve for residents grappling with pollution.
Light showers are expected in the upcoming days and the IMD has warned of a ‘Yellow’ alert for the next few days. Local authorities remain on high alert, advising people to exercise caution when going out.
Department -Journalism and Mass Communication
Semester – 1 (1st Year)
Asutosh College
