Delhi-NCR monsoon flooding: Red alert issued, traffic paralysed on July 9
Synopsis
Delhi-NCR's monsoon infrastructure was tested to its limits overnight as Kamla Nehru Nagar in Ghaziabad recorded 164 mm of rain and Mayur Vihar hit 103 mm in Delhi — triggering a red alert, blocking NH-24, and forcing Gurugram corporates to call work-from-home. The capital's recurring flood-every-monsoon cycle is playing out again, this time with unusual intensity.
Key Takeaways
The IMD issued a red alert for New Delhi on 9 July , warning of extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning.
Mayur Vihar recorded Delhi's highest rainfall at 103 mm in 24 hours; Kamla Nehru Nagar in Ghaziabad topped the region at 164 mm .
Major roads hit by waterlogging include Mehrauli-Badarpur Road , Vikas Marg , and the Mayur Vihar–Akshardham stretch.
NH-24 near Ghazipur was blocked; motorists advised to use the Sector-62 – Seemapuri alternate route.
An orange alert was issued for Ghaziabad , Noida , Meerut , and Gurugram with more heavy rain expected.
Several Gurugram companies issued work-from-home advisories amid severe waterlogging.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for New Delhi on 9 July as overnight monsoon downpours triggered severe waterlogging and hours-long traffic gridlock across the Delhi-NCR region. The rainfall, described by officials as among the most intense of the current monsoon season, brought large parts of the capital and its satellite cities to a standstill on Thursday.
Rainfall Figures Across Delhi-NCR
Mayur Vihar recorded the highest rainfall in Delhi at 103 mm in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am, according to the IMD. Other significant readings included Delhi University (90 mm), Mehrauli (86 mm), Pusa (83 mm), Lodhi Road (80 mm), Ridge (78 mm), Safdarjung (73 mm), Chhatarpur (72 mm), Palam (63 mm), Narayana (63 mm), and Janakpuri (62 mm), among others.
In neighbouring Ghaziabad, Kamla Nehru Nagar received a striking 164 mm — the highest reported figure across the region — while Hindon logged 134 mm. Tanda in Gautam Buddha Nagar recorded 62 mm. In Gurugram, NorthCap University and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) received 27 mm and 36 mm, respectively.
Worst-Affected Stretches and Commuter Impact
Several major roads in Delhi were severely waterlogged, including Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, Shani Bazar Road in Sangam Vihar, Vikas Marg, and the stretch between Mayur Vihar Phase-1 Metro Station and Akshardham. Submerged potholes added to the hazard for motorists.
A local resident said, 'As soon as we step out of our homes, the problems begin. Every street, intersection, and road is waterlogged. Vehicles are slipping on flooded roads, making commuting extremely difficult and unsafe.'
In Ghaziabad, the Bhopura area and the Vijay Nagar underpass were hit hard, disrupting movement on the Mohan Nagar-Wazirabad Road. Gurugram saw traffic crawling on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway service lane near Narsinghpur, with congestion also reported from Basai, Umang Bhardwaj Chowk, Kadipur, Sector 10A, and Sohna Road. Several private companies in Gurugram issued work-from-home advisories for their employees.
Traffic Advisory and Alternate Routes
The Delhi Traffic Police issued a formal advisory warning that NH-24 near Ghazipur was affected due to continuous rainfall since Wednesday. Officials from the Traffic Police and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) were deployed to clear accumulated water.
Motorists travelling from Ghaziabad towards Delhi were advised to avoid NH-24 and instead use the Sector-62 – Vasundhara – Buddh Chowk – Mohan Nagar route, entering Delhi via Seemapuri, until conditions improve.
Alerts Extended to Satellite Cities
The IMD also issued an orange alert for parts of Ghaziabad, Noida, Meerut, and Gurugram, warning of continued heavy rainfall through the day. This comes amid a broader pattern of intensifying monsoon activity across the Indo-Gangetic Plain, with urban infrastructure in the NCR repeatedly struggling to absorb sustained high-volume rainfall.
With the IMD red alert still in effect and water-clearing operations ongoing, commuters across Delhi-NCR are advised to check real-time traffic updates before travelling.
Point of View
Vikas Marg, the Mayur Vihar–Akshardham corridor. Kamla Nehru Nagar in Ghaziabad recording 164 mm in a single night is extreme, but the inability to drain even moderate rainfall from arterial roads points to decades of deferred stormwater infrastructure investment. Work-from-home advisories from private companies are now a de facto coping mechanism for what should be a solved urban engineering problem. Until the Centre, Delhi government, and NCR municipalities agree on a unified stormwater master plan with accountability, this will be the story every July.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the IMD issue a red alert for Delhi on 9 July?
The IMD issued a red alert for Delhi on 9 July due to extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, following an overnight downpour that was among the most intense of the current monsoon season. The alert warned residents of continued severe weather through the day.
Which areas in Delhi-NCR were worst affected by waterlogging?
Among the worst-hit areas were Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, Vikas Marg, the Mayur Vihar Phase-1 to Akshardham stretch, and the Bhopura area and Vijay Nagar underpass in Ghaziabad. Gurugram's Delhi-Jaipur Highway service lane near Narsinghpur also saw near-standstill traffic.
What alternate route has been advised for NH-24 near Ghazipur?
The Delhi Traffic Police advised motorists travelling from Ghaziabad towards Delhi to avoid NH-24 near Ghazipur and instead use the Sector-62 – Vasundhara – Buddh Chowk – Mohan Nagar route, entering Delhi through Seemapuri, until waterlogging is cleared.
How much rainfall did Delhi and NCR record overnight?
Mayur Vihar recorded the highest in Delhi at 103 mm in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on 9 July. Across the NCR, Kamla Nehru Nagar in Ghaziabad topped all stations at 164 mm, while Hindon recorded 134 mm.
Which NCR cities are under an orange alert?
The IMD issued an orange alert for parts of Ghaziabad, Noida, Meerut, and Gurugram, signalling continued heavy rainfall expected through the day on 9 July.
