Delhi-NCR heavy rain disrupts flights, Gurugram issues WFH advisory
Synopsis
One hour of rain was enough to paralyse Gurugram and divert 15 flights from Delhi's busiest airport. With 70 mm recorded by early afternoon and key expressways gridlocked, Monday's deluge exposed once again how Delhi-NCR's civic infrastructure buckles under routine monsoon stress — not exceptional rainfall.
Key Takeaways
Heavy rain struck Delhi-NCR on Monday, 24 August , causing widespread waterlogging and traffic disruption.
Gurugram recorded 70 mm of rainfall by 1:30 pm ; the district administration issued WFH and online-class advisories .
15 flights were diverted from Indira Gandhi International Airport , including 3 international flights — 12 to Jaipur, 2 to Chandigarh, 1 to Lucknow.
The Signature Tower to Hero Honda Chowk stretch on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway took commuters 50 minutes instead of the usual 15 minutes .
Waterlogging was reported across Tughlakabad , Najafgarh , Baba Kharak Singh Marg , Zakhira underpass , and multiple Gurugram junctions.
Heavy rain battered Delhi-NCR on Monday, 24 August, triggering widespread waterlogging, severe traffic gridlock, and flight disruptions at Indira Gandhi International Airport, while the Gurugram district administration issued advisories directing offices to enable work-from-home and schools to switch to online classes.
Waterlogging Across Delhi
Several parts of the capital were inundated within hours of the downpour. In Tughlakabad, approximately two feet of water accumulated at a Delhi Development Authority (DDA) park, with surrounding roads rendered impassable. Najafgarh witnessed severe waterlogging, and Baba Kharak Singh Marg in the NDMC area — including roads near Shivaji Stadium — was submerged, hampering traffic movement. The Zakhira underpass was among the other badly affected stretches.
Gurugram's Infrastructure Under Strain
The Gurugram administration confirmed the city received 70 mm of rainfall by 1:30 pm on Monday. Key junctions including Rajiv Chowk, IFFCO Chowk, Railway Road, Sector 5, Old Delhi Road, Mehrauli Road, and Basai Road were among the worst affected. The downpour lasted roughly an hour, yet it was enough to overwhelm the city's drainage systems — a pattern residents say repeats every monsoon season.
Motorists abandoned vehicles on flooded roads, images and videos of which were widely shared on social media. School students were seen wading through floodwaters toward elevated bus stops to avoid open manholes concealed beneath the muddy surface. Sheetla Mata Road, which has emerged as one of Gurugram's recurring flood-prone stretches this monsoon, was again submerged.
Expressway Gridlock
Traffic on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway slowed to a crawl, with the stretch from Signature Tower to Hero Honda Chowk — normally a 15-minute drive — taking commuters at least 50 minutes. A large section near Cyber Hub, opposite the Gateway Tower Metro station, was submerged, choking one of the region's busiest arterial routes.
Flight Operations Hit at IGI Airport
Thunderstorms and heavy rain forced 15 flights to be diverted from Indira Gandhi International Airport, including three international flights. Of the diverted aircraft, 12 were routed to Jaipur, two to Chandigarh, and one to Lucknow. Arrivals and departures across connected routes faced delays as the adverse weather persisted.
This is not an isolated episode — Delhi-NCR's monsoon flooding has drawn repeated scrutiny over inadequate stormwater drainage, particularly in Gurugram, where rapid urbanisation has outpaced civic infrastructure. With the monsoon season still active, authorities are expected to remain on alert for further spells of heavy rainfall.
Point of View
Well within monsoon norms. That this was sufficient to strand motorists, divert international flights, and force a WFH advisory in one of India's wealthiest urban corridors points to a structural failure in civic planning, not a freak occurrence. Gurugram's rapid commercial growth has consistently outpaced investment in stormwater drainage, and each monsoon season produces the same images of abandoned cars and wading commuters. Until drainage infrastructure catches up with the city's skyline, these disruptions will remain an annual ritual.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Gurugram issue a work-from-home advisory on 24 August?
The Gurugram district administration issued a WFH advisory after heavy rainfall recorded at 70 mm by 1:30 pm overwhelmed the city's civic infrastructure, flooding key roads and junctions. Schools were also directed to shift to online classes to ensure student safety.
How many flights were diverted from Delhi airport due to the rain?
A total of 15 flights were diverted from Indira Gandhi International Airport due to adverse weather, including three international flights. Of these, 12 were sent to Jaipur, two to Chandigarh, and one to Lucknow.
Which areas in Delhi and Gurugram were worst affected by the waterlogging?
In Delhi, Tughlakabad, Najafgarh, Baba Kharak Singh Marg near Shivaji Stadium, and the Zakhira underpass were severely waterlogged. In Gurugram, Rajiv Chowk, IFFCO Chowk, Railway Road, Old Delhi Road, Mehrauli Road, Basai Road, and Sheetla Mata Road were among the worst-hit areas.
How badly was traffic affected on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway?
The Delhi-Jaipur Expressway saw severe gridlock, with the Signature Tower to Hero Honda Chowk stretch taking at least 50 minutes instead of the usual 15. A section near Cyber Hub, opposite the Gateway Tower Metro station, was submerged.
Is flooding a recurring problem in Gurugram during the monsoon?
Yes, residents and officials acknowledge that Gurugram's drainage infrastructure is repeatedly overwhelmed during heavy monsoon spells. Monday's flooding — caused by roughly an hour of rain — reflects a pattern that has drawn criticism over the city's civic planning despite its status as a major corporate hub.
