Rain lashes Delhi, disrupts traffic; air quality slips to 'moderate'

Rain hit several parts of Delhi on Thursday, affecting traffic movement at several stretches during peak hours, with commuters facing slow movement and snarls at key intersections and arterial roads.

The Ridge recorded the highest rainfall of 26.2 mm between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm, followed by Safdarjung at 20.2 mm, Palam at 12.6 mm and Lodi Road at 6.4 mm, according to the India Meteorological Department. Ayanagar recorded no rainfall during the period.

Heavy traffic was reported around ITO and Mandapam, while commuters also faced congestion on the Geeta Colony-Shakarpur side and the Sarai Kale Khan corridor.

Traffic was affected on several roads connecting central and east Delhi, with vehicles moving slowly on stretches witnessing waterlogging. Long queues and delays were reported on roads connecting ITO with east Delhi, while traffic around the Geeta Colony bridge and Sarai Kale Khan also remained heavy.

The rain-related disruption came on a day when traffic movement in central Delhi was already affected by restrictions and diversions imposed in view of the Independence Day full-dress rehearsal at the Red Fort.

Roads around the Red Fort were closed to general traffic between 4 am and 10 am as part of the security arrangements. The Delhi Traffic Police had advised commuters to avoid restricted routes and plan their journeys accordingly.

Ayanagar recorded the highest maximum temperature of 36 degrees Celsius, 1.8 degrees above normal. Lodi Road recorded 35.6 degrees Celsius, 2.6 degrees above normal, followed by Palam at 35.4 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal, Safdarjung at 35.2 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal, and Ridge at 34.9 degrees Celsius, 1.1 degrees above normal.

Safdarjung recorded the highest minimum temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal. Ayanagar recorded 27.5 degrees Celsius, 1.4 degrees above normal, and Lodi Road 27.4 degrees Celsius, 1.4 degrees above normal. Palam recorded 25.9 degrees Celsius, 0.8 degrees below normal, while Ridge recorded 24.5 degrees Celsius, 1.4 degrees below normal.

After recording 'satisfactory' air quality for several days, Delhi's air quality slipped into the 'moderate' category on Thursday, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 105, making it the first 'moderate' AQI day in more than 12 days.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'.