Schools shut in Noida, work-from-home advisory in Gurugram as rain batters Delhi-NCR

As heavy rains lashed the national capital for the second consecutive day on Thursday, it led to severe waterlogging in several areas and affected traffic movement on key roads across the city.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also issued a ‘yellow alert’, cautioning people about moderate rain at most places in the city on Friday. Rains are likely to lash the national capital on the weekend too. In view of the heavy rainfall, private schools (up to class 8) have been asked to remain closed in Noida and Gurugram on Friday.

Long traffic snarls were reported in the Delhi-NCR region and more rain has been predicted for the region. The weather office has predicted a generally cloudy sky, moderate rain and thundershowers at most places. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to settle at 28 degrees Celsius and 23 degrees Celsius, respectively, the MeT said.

“A fresh cloud is approaching towards Delhi leading to possibility of light to moderate rainfall at most places with intense spells occasionally at a few places over Delhi and adjoining areas of NCR during next 3-4 hours,” the weather department said in a tweet.

Heavy rains in several parts of Delhi and NCR led to waterlogging and traffic jams on Thursday. Traffic congestion was reported on several stretches of National Highway (NH) 48, including at Iffco Chowk, Shankar Chowk, Rajiv Chowk and at Sarhaul near Gurgaon-Delhi border.

Following heavy downpours in Delhi and the NCR, pedestrians on Thursday were compelled to walk through severely inundated lanes and main roads. In visuals accessed by India Today, the Delhi-Gurugram expressway, heavily jammed, witnessed the usual traffic on a rainy day.

SCHOOLS SHUT IN NOIDA, GURUGRAM

All government and private schools till class 8 across Noida and Greater Noida in Gautam Buddh Nagar will remain closed on Friday due to rains, an official order announced on Thursday.

The weather department has issued an alert due to rains in the region after which District Magistrate Suhas L Yathraj issued the order to shut the schools, District School Inspector Dharamveer Singh said.

“On September 23, all schools from class 1 to 8 in the district would remain closed,” Singh said, according to an official statement issued on Thursday night.

On the other hand, all private educational institutions in Gurugram have been asked to declare holidays on Friday in view of the heavy rainfall. The Gurugram administration has ordered all corporate offices to work from home on Friday amid heavy rain. All private educational institutions are also advised to close schools and colleges.

The District Disaster Management Authority, in an advisory, said that all corporate offices and private institutions are advised to guide employees to work from home so that traffic congestion can be avoided.

“In view of heavy rainfall prediction for the district Gurugram on September 23, there are chances of waterlogging and traffic congestion. Therefore, all corporate offices and private institutions in the district are advised to guide their employees to work from home on Friday so that traffic congestion can be avoided and repair works of roads and drains can be carried out smoothly by civic agencies,” it said.