Heavy rains in Delhi, traffic thrown out of gear (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI - Heavy rains lashed Delhi Monday evening, bringing much-needed relief to residents from the high humidity, but severe traffic jams at several places played spoilsport.

According to the traffic police, there was a traffic obstruction at the General Post Office (GPO) in central Delhi due to waterlogging. Rains also led to traffic snarls at Dhaula Kuan, Ring Road, Nizamuddin Bridge towards Noida, ITO, India Gate and Ashram.

There were also reports of traffic obstructions in the north and northwest parts of the city.

Following the rains, the temperature dipped by a notch or two, an official of the India Meteorological Department said.

The city has so far received 129.1 mm of rain, four percent more than the average, with about 9.6 mm of rainfall till 8.30 p.m Monday.

High humidity in the daytime had made Delhi residents sweat as it oscillated between 90 percent and a low of 60 percent.

Weather officials predicted that the maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 37 and 28 degrees Celsius respectively Tuesday.

Meanwhile, commuters on their way home complained traffic was moving at a snail’s pace in several parts of the city.

“Every year, the government agencies claim before the monsoon that there would be no waterlogging or traffic problems. But after the rains this evening, traffic moved only 500 metres in an hour between Saket and Pushp Vihar,” said Jyoti Prakash, a bank employee.