Summary
- DIAL urges passengers to use Delhi Metro amid waterlogging and severe traffic congestion.
- IMD forecasts moderate to heavy rainfall across Delhi-NCR on July 14.
- Prolonged rainfall since July 10 has submerged roads in areas like Uttam Nagar and Rajiv Chowk.
When It Rains, It Halts: Delhi Airport Tells Flyers to Ditch Cars for Metro
A relentless spell of monsoon showers has brought India’s capital to a frustrating crawl, prompting Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) to issue a rare travel advisory on Monday. Citing “inclement weather conditions,” the advisory urged travelers headed to Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) to avoid road transport and opt for the Delhi Metro instead, warning of potential delays due to widespread waterlogging and traffic snarls.
The advisory comes amid an India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast predicting moderate to heavy rainfall across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on July 14, intensifying concerns over flooded roads, stalled vehicles, and growing commuter anxiety.
With the city already reeling from five straight days of rain and key junctions—such as Rajiv Chowk, Bindapur, and Uttam Nagar—reporting near-paralysis in vehicular movement, authorities now face a dual challenge: keeping critical infrastructure operational while ensuring safe public mobility.
Delhi Metro station flooded, sewers overflowing, 10 feet water logging everywhere. BJP has promised worldclass infrastructure but what they are delivering , totally pathetic. pic.twitter.com/jPcKudayI1
— Poha Jeevi(MP) (@pohajeevi) July 15, 2025
Airport Advisory: A First Line of Defense Against Weather Chaos
- DIAL advised using Delhi Metro to avoid road-related delays en route to the airport.
- Ground teams are coordinating with civic agencies to maintain airport access.
- Flyers were warned to plan extra travel time to catch flights on schedule.
- Operations at IGIA continue, but with increased buffer time recommended.
While flights at IGIA Terminal 3 and other terminals remained operational, the road access to the airport became a bottleneck due to intense and sustained rainfall. In its statement, DIAL emphasized that all stakeholders, including airlines and transport authorities, are working in tandem to ensure minimal disruption to passenger journeys.
However, with the Aerocity approach roads, Mahipalpur flyover zone, and Terminal 1D access points reporting traffic delays, the use of Delhi Metro’s Airport Express Line has become the most viable option. The Airport Express Line connects New Delhi Railway Station to Terminal 3, providing a reliable route free from surface flooding.
Rajiv Chowk to Uttam Nagar: Delhi’s Roads Underwater
- Rajiv Chowk witnessed major traffic jams following Sunday’s heavy rainfall.
- In Bindapur and Uttam Nagar, roads remain submerged under several inches of water.
- Traffic police deployed additional forces but remained overwhelmed by volume.
- IMD continues to forecast heavy downpours for the next 48 hours.
As rainfall intensified over the weekend, Sunday’s deluge choked arterial roads and intersections. Viral videos showed cars wading through waist-deep water near Palam, Mayapuri, and Najafgarh, while commuters were seen stranded at bus stops without working autos or cabs.
In Bindapur, Uttam Nagar, and outer Delhi, waterlogging swallowed entire road surfaces, making it nearly impossible for two-wheelers and low-clearance cars to pass. Delhi Traffic Police issued multiple advisories but could do little to stem the mounting chaos.
With the Yamuna River still flowing above normal levels, stormwater runoff has no clear outlet—adding to the city’s drainage nightmare. The Delhi Jal Board and PWD teams are working overtime, but clogged drains, weak infrastructure, and poor urban planning continue to haunt the capital every monsoon.
The Broader Impact: Why This Rain Is Different
- Delhi received above-normal rainfall this July, already surpassing its monthly average.
- Drainage systems are overwhelmed, exposing long-term infrastructure gaps.
- Public transport demand has spiked by 22% in the last three days.
- Urban flooding risks may persist through mid-July if rains continue.
Delhi is no stranger to seasonal waterlogging, but this time, the volume and duration of rainfall have overwhelmed both infrastructure and emergency planning. According to IMD data, Delhi has already received 170 mm of rainfall in less than five days, against a monthly average of 210 mm—and the monsoon has only just peaked.
Increased urbanization without parallel investment in drainage modernisation has turned Delhi into a fragile monsoon city. Civic bodies have acknowledged receiving over 2,500 complaints of waterlogging in just the past 72 hours. The Delhi government’s response has included deploying mobile water pumps, but critics say such reactive measures are too little, too late.
Final Verdict: Rain May Be Seasonal, But the Crisis is Systemic
Delhi’s latest brush with monsoon disruption is less about the weather and more about preparedness. With DIAL now having to urge flyers to bypass the very roads that connect to India’s busiest airport, the alarm bells are clear: Delhi is one extreme rainfall away from collapse.
As the capital braces for more downpours in the coming days, residents and travelers alike are being asked to rely on Metro services, buffer time, and—ultimately—patience. But unless long-term reforms address drainage, transport resilience, and climate adaptability, Delhi’s rainy day will keep returning with increasing vengeance.
