Delhi Rains: 18-Year-Old Swept Away; Third-Highest August Rainfall Recorded
The national capital received light to moderate rain on Saturday, with the Safdarjung observatory recording 98.7 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m., according to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This is the third-highest 24-hour rainfall recorded in August since 2011. The city received an additional 4.4 mm of rain until 5.30 p.m., taking the day's total close to 103 mm.
The prolonged rain spell, which began four days ago, has significantly increased the flow of drains and water channels across Delhi, creating hazardous conditions. In southeast Delhi's Madanpur Khadar area, an 18-year-old man, identified as Ankit, was swept away in the Priyanka Camp Nala on Friday evening. He was returning home to Ali Vihar from Noida with his friend Manish when he slipped into the drain and was carried off by the strong current, police said.
Upon receiving a PCR call at the Sarita Vihar police station, a team was dispatched to the spot. Search operations involving the police, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), and the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) continued through Saturday, but Ankit had not been found. The search was expected to resume on Sunday.
In a separate incident, heavy rain led to the collapse of a boundary wall of a private parking facility in Deoli Gaon Nai Basti in south Delhi. The collapse, which occurred around 5 p.m. on Friday, damaged eight vehicles. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Residents said they heard a loud noise and then found vehicles buried under the rubble. Sewer pipeline work was underway in the vicinity, and residents suspect the combination of construction work and water saturation may have weakened the ground. The exact cause of the collapse is yet to be determined.
The Delhi Fire Services also reported receiving 18 calls regarding fallen trees until 7 p.m. on Saturday, reflecting the adverse impact of the rains on the city's greenery and infrastructure.
Traffic movement was significantly affected due to waterlogging and heavy vehicular volume, although the situation was somewhat better than Friday. Commuters faced major delays on the Sarita Vihar–Noida route at Jasola Vihar, Shaheen Bagh, and Kalindi Kunj, with the disruption extending to Greater Kailash, Defence Colony, and South Extension. Other affected stretches included Pusa Road, Peeragarhi, Madhuban Chowk, Kheri Baba bridge, Palam, Dabri Mod, Uttam Nagar, and Anand Vihar.
The IMD has forecast generally cloudy skies and light rain on Sunday, with light to very light rain expected every day until August 14. The monsoon remains active over the region, and the possibility of further waterlogging cannot be ruled out if similar intensity of rain occurs.
This episode of intense rainfall underscores the vulnerability of Delhi's drainage infrastructure and the risks faced by residents, especially in areas near open drains. It also highlights the need for continued vigilance during the monsoon season.
