Delhi records wettest September as rain breaks record of 121 yrs

With 380.2 mm of rainfall from September 1 till Saturday afternoon, Delhi recorded its second-highest downpour in 121 years and highest after 1944, making it the wettest September in over a century. The top five highest rainfall for the month of September in total include -- "417.3 mm, 380.2 mm, 360.9 mm, 359.2 mm and 341.9 mm in 1944, 2021, 1914, 1945 and 1933 respectively," IMD said.

New Delhi: With 380.2 mm of rainfall from September 1 till Saturday afternoon, Delhi recorded its second highest downpour in 121 years and highest after 1944, making it the wettest September in over a century. "380.2 mm in September 2021 so far is second highest in 121 years and highest after 1944, in last 77 years for the month of September only," data from Safadrjung Observatory shared by India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday said.

The top five highest rainfall for the month of September in total include -- "417.3 mm, 380.2 mm, 360.9 mm, 359.2 mm and 341.9 mm in 1944, 2021, 1914, 1945 and 1933 respectively," IMD said. Total rainfall in the national capital this season has been 1,136.8 mm at the Safdarjung observatory. Delhi had recorded 1,420.3 mm of rainfall in 1933.

Monthwise, 34.8 mm of rainfall was recorded in June; 507.3 mm in July; 214.5 mm in August and 380.2 mm in September. "When we compared total rainfall for Safadrjung till September 11 (2.30 pm) from the data from 1901 onwards, we found out that the ranking of 2021 topped all the extreme monsoon season having more than 1,050 mm of rainfall," a top IMD scientist said.

Meanwhile, the IMD has predicted rainfall till Sunday morning, adding that Delhi and its NCR area will receive a fresh spell of rain from September 17 to 18. Delhi and its adjoining areas received heavy rainfall on Saturday morning, causing waterlogging in several areas in the national capital and its nearby regions, affecting daily commuters and causing traffic disruptions.

Pictures and videos surfacing from areas like Madhu Vihar, Jorbagh, Motibagh, RK Puram, Sadar Bazar area and ITO showed vehicles stuck in middle of roads partially inundated, slowing down the traffic to a snail's pace. Zakira Underpass near Inderlok was closed.

Delhi's Indira Gandhi Airport (Terminal-3) was also waterlogged, affecting several flights. Vistara, SpiceJet and IndiGo tweeted a travel update as such: Due to waterlogging on account of heavy rains in Delhi, traffic congestion is expected. Customers travelling are advised to allow more time for their journey to the airport.

IANS