Vehicular movement at the Okhla underpass was restricted by the Delhi Traffic Police today, June 30, due to the issue of waterlogging in Delhi and commuters were asked to plan their journeys accordingly.
Earlier, a 60-year-old man drowned in the underpass on June 29. The national capital faced heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday, resulting in waterlogging and significant traffic jams across various parts of the city.
Okhla underpass closure troubles commuters
Posting on X, the traffic police said that the movement of traffic had been restricted at the underpass. The closure has disrupted regular commuters, leading to longer travel times.
A commuter told PTI, “I have been taking this route some time but never seen it get waterlogged. The route above the underpass is also closed. I was going for some work near Crown Plaza. I have to take another route now.”
Another said that he had been looking for an alternate route after he got stuck in a traffic jam for several hours near the underpass on Friday and Saturday.
A video allegedly showing water from the moat flooding into the Red Fort complex has gone viral on social media.
Delhi waterlogging
In response to the forecast of heavy rains in Delhi until Tuesday, civic bodies have taken steps including increasing manpower and equipment deployment to tackle waterlogging and keeping field units on high alert.
The Capital city on Friday saw 228.1 mm of rainfall on the first day of monsoon, recording the highest level in June since 1936. The downpour submerged several parts of the city and killed multiple people.
The IMD has forecasted heavy rains in Delhi and issued an “orange alert” for the city until July 2.
(With PTI inputs)