By IANS
New Delhi : Rains lashed the capital Friday, bringing traffic to a standstill in many parts of the city. Even the Metro train service was disrupted for a few hours due to short-circuit in electricity supply.
Moderate showers started around 4.30 p.m. and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Delhi experienced over 5 mm rainfall.
“Scattered but moderate rainfall was reported from across the city and we hope Delhiites will experience a wet weekend,” said an IMD official.
Nizamuddin and Ashram areas experienced torrential rain. Huge traffic snarls were seen in Ashram, Connaught Place, ITO, Laxmi Nagar and Lajpat Nagar.
Rajiv Tiwari, who was caught in a huge traffic snarl near Ashram, said: “Due to waterlogging, there is a queue stretching over two km. The traffic lights are not functioning at all, adding to the trouble.”
The weatherman said the city could experience cloudy skies, scattered rains and thundershowers Saturday as well.
On Friday, the capital recorded a maximum temperature of 34.4 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 24.2 degrees (2 degrees above normal). The monsoon had entered Delhi June 28.
Commuters of Delhi Metro said that heavy rains affected the Metro service between Barakhamba and Indraprastha section.
But Delhi Metro spokesman Anuj Dayal said “the problem was due to short circuit on the track and rain had nothing to do with it”.
He said many trains were diverted from Barakhamba station and that there was a delay only at IP station.