Delhi Schools to Remain Closed on Monday as Heavy Rains Disrupt Daily Life; Government Officials to Be On-Site

Due to continuous heavy rainfall causing disruptions in Delhi, schools in the capital will be closed on Monday. The India Meteorological Department reported that Delhi received 153 mm of rain in a 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday, marking the highest recorded rainfall for a single day in July since 1982.

To address the situation, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal directed the closure of schools on Monday and urged government officials to be present in the affected areas.

In a Hindi tweet, Kejriwal stated, "Considering the incessant rains in the last two days and taking into account the warnings from the meteorological department, all schools will remain closed on Monday."

Furthermore, Chief Minister Kejriwal canceled the Sunday leave of all government officials and instructed them to be actively involved in handling the situation on the ground.

He also mentioned that Delhi Cabinet ministers and Mayor Shelly Oberoi will be conducting inspections of the affected areas in the city.

In another Hindi tweet, Kejriwal highlighted, "Yesterday, Delhi received 126 mm of rainfall. Within just 12 hours, we received fifteen percent of the total rainfall that Delhi typically receives during the monsoon season. People have been severely impacted by waterlogging."

"To address this, all Delhi ministers and the mayor will be inspecting problem areas today. We have instructed all officers to be present on-site, and their scheduled Sunday off has been canceled," he added.

According to the India Meteorological Department, Delhi recorded 153 mm of rainfall in a 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday. This is the highest recorded rainfall for a single day in July since 1982.

The intense rainfall over northwest India, including Delhi, is attributed to the interaction between a western disturbance and monsoonal winds. This marks the season's first occurrence of "very heavy" rainfall in the capital.

The Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi's primary weather station, recorded 153 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday. An IMD official noted that this was the highest rainfall since the 169.9 mm recorded on July 25, 1982.

This rainfall also ranks as the third-highest single-day rainfall for July since 1958.