Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Heavy Rain Floods Delhi Roads Ahead of BRICS Summit
Heavy rain fell in Delhi for a second day and flooded many roads.
Some places near the airport had water deep enough for people to wade through.
Several underpasses and important roads became difficult for cars and buses to use.
Traffic officials warned people that vehicles would move slowly in many areas.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited a flooded area and told officials to use pumps to remove the water.
Government teams also checked roads between the airport and Bharat Mandapam.
These checks are important because Delhi will host the BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13.
Weather officials said more rain and thunderstorms could happen.
Heavy rain caused waterlogging and traffic disruptions across Delhi, including the airport corridor and National Highway-48.
People waded through knee-deep water near the Indira Gandhi International Airport, while an auto-rickshaw was nearly submerged.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inspected affected areas and directed officials to deploy pumps to clear accumulated water.
The Delhi Traffic Police warned of slow movement, while officials inspected vulnerable stretches ahead of the BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13.
The India Meteorological Department maintained an orange alert, with thunderstorms and further rain expected across the capital.
- Who
- Delhi residents, commuters, civic agencies, traffic officials, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and other government officials were involved.
- What
- Heavy rain caused widespread waterlogging, traffic disruption, fallen trees and electricity complaints across Delhi.
- When
- The disruption occurred on Saturday after incessant rain since Friday; the BRICS Summit is scheduled for September 12 and 13.
- Where
- Affected locations included the Indira Gandhi International Airport corridor, Mahipalpur, National Highway-48, Dwarka, East Delhi, Sangam Vihar and other parts of the capital.
- Why
- Intense rainfall overwhelmed or accumulated in roads and underpasses, while authorities worked to clear water and prepare vulnerable routes before the BRICS Summit.
Preparedness Concerns
Government Response
Flooding before the summit
Preparedness Concerns
The waterlogging of roads and airport-area underpasses raised concerns about Delhi's preparedness ahead of the BRICS Summit.
Government Response
Senior officials inspected the route between Bharat Mandapam and the airport to identify vulnerable locations before the summit.
Responsibility for affected roads
Preparedness Concerns
Flooding occurred on several major corridors, and some airport-area roads were under the jurisdiction of Delhi International Airport Limited and the National Highways Authority of India, according to PWD officials.
Government Response
Authorities said they were coordinating responses, deploying temporary pumps and following procedures requiring alerts and traffic restrictions when underpasses become unsafe.
Long-term coordination
Preparedness Concerns
The repeated waterlogging and complaints highlighted continuing drainage and infrastructure problems during heavy rain.
Government Response
Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu called for a whole-of-government approach and directed agencies to submit a report on waterlogging-related issues by the end of August.
- Summit dates
- The BRICS Summit is scheduled at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13.
- Highest early rainfall
- By 8:30 am, Palam had recorded 84 mm of rain and the IGI Airport had recorded 72 mm.
- Saturday rainfall
- From 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Safdarjung and Palam each recorded 35.6 mm, while Lodhi Road recorded 30.8 mm.
- Major flooded routes
- The airport corridor, National Highway-48 between IGI Airport and Dhaula Kuan, the Palam airport tunnel and the Dwarka underpass were among affected stretches.
- Government response
- Rekha Gupta directed officials to deploy pumps and other resources to clear accumulated water.
- Public complaints
- The PWD received about 10 waterlogging calls and around 10 tree-falling complaints, while the MCD received three waterlogging complaints and 20 electricity-related complaints.
- Weather warning
- The IMD issued an orange alert and forecast thunderstorms with light to moderate rain, along with moderate to heavy showers in many areas.