Monsoon Chaos in Delhi: Record Rainfall Disrupts City

Headline: New Delhi Experiences Record Rainfall Following Severe Heatwave, Highlights Climate Change Impact
By Shivam Patel and Rajendra Jadhav
Summary:
New Delhi has been hit by its heaviest rainfall in decades, with a 24-hour downpour exceeding the city’s average for the entire month of June. The deluge caused significant disruptions, including a fatal airport roof collapse, flight cancellations, metro station closures, blocked underpasses, and severe traffic jams. The city’s Safdarjung weather station reported 228.1 mm of rain, the highest 24-hour rainfall in June in 88 years. The monsoon, which had been delayed, was pushed back on track by sudden thunderstorms.
Experts attribute the extreme weather to climate change, which increases atmospheric water vapor and leads to intense rain events. The city has faced erratic monsoon patterns over the past 40 years, resulting in both droughts and floods. To mitigate these effects, experts suggest enhancing infrastructure, increasing green cover, improving drainage systems, and raising public awareness. The situation underscores the urgent need for climate-proofing infrastructure and the economy.
Contributors:

• Shivam Patel
• Rajendra Jadhav
• Krishna N. Das
  Edited by:
• Raju Gopalakrishnan
• Frances Kerry