Delhi Waterlogging Returns as Heavy Rains Hit Airport Corridor Ahead of BRICS Summit

Heavy rainfall on Saturday triggered widespread waterlogging and traffic disruptions across Delhi, with the Indira Gandhi International Airport corridor among the worst-affected stretches. Commuters were seen wading through knee-deep water near Mahipalpur, and an auto-rickshaw was nearly submerged in the deluge.

The downpour, which began on Friday, inundated several underpasses and key roads, including the Dwarka underpass connecting Palam to the IGI domestic area and the National Highway-48 stretch between the airport and Dhaula Kuan. The Palam airport tunnel and Neow Chowk Road in Sangam Vihar were also waterlogged.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta conducted a surprise inspection of flooded areas near Sadbhavana Park in East Delhi, directing officials to deploy pumps and other resources to clear accumulated water swiftly. The Public Works Department (PWD) said temporary pumps were used to drain the Dwarka underpass, where flooding from nearby Mehrampur had worsened the situation.

The waterlogging has raised concerns ahead of the BRICS Summit, scheduled at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13. Senior Delhi government officials have already inspected the route between the venue and IGI Airport to identify vulnerable spots. The Delhi Traffic Police warned commuters of slow movement at multiple locations.

In addition to waterlogging, the city reported several trees falling, including near Mathura Road and Malviya Nagar Metro Station. The PWD and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) received around 10 and eight complaints of tree falls, respectively. The MCD also handled three waterlogging complaints and 20 power outage reports.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded significant rainfall across the city, with Safdarjung and Palam each receiving 35.6 mm between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm. Palam had already accumulated 84 mm by 8:30 am, and IGI Airport recorded 72 mm. An orange alert was issued for the rest of the day, with thunderstorms and moderate rain expected.

The latest flooding comes after Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu held a review meeting on August 26, calling for a coordinated approach among agencies to address the city's chronic waterlogging problem.