A recent thunderstorm in Delhi wreaked havoc on the city’s roads, causing chaos and major traffic disruptions as trees were uprooted and branches scattered across carriageways. The Delhi Traffic Police found themselves overwhelmed with calls reporting road obstructions, prompting swift action to clear the affected areas.
Challenges Faced by Commuters
Areas such as Sardar Patel Marg, Lok Kalyan Marg, Chawla Road in Najafgarh, Sector 16 of Rohini, August Kranti Marg, Sarita Vihar, and DDU Marg bore the brunt of the storm, with fallen trees creating bottlenecks and snarling traffic flow. Even iconic spots like Lodhi Garden experienced tree collapses, leading to significant congestion on neighboring roads like Lodhi Road, a key route for commuters traveling to and from Nizamuddin railway station.
Commuters from Gurgaon heading towards Delhi were also severely impacted, facing prolonged delays during peak hours of traffic. The situation was exacerbated by a fallen tree near the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, further restricting traffic to a single carriageway, adding to the gridlock. The traffic towards Chhatarpur was similarly impeded, creating a ripple effect on the overall traffic situation in the city.
Efforts to Restore Normalcy
Agencies and cranes were deployed across Delhi to clear the roads, but the sheer scale of the task posed challenges, compounded by low visibility in the aftermath of the storm. The Delhi Traffic Police took to social media to provide regular updates and directions to commuters, urging them to plan their journeys accordingly to avoid the worst-affected areas.
Despite the chaos, commuters took to social media to vent their frustrations, sharing their experiences of being stuck in traffic jams with no immediate relief in sight. Civic agencies were inundated with complaints and tagged in posts highlighting the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens trying to navigate the disrupted roads.
Traffic police officials worked tirelessly to ensure swift clearance of fallen trees, with the situation gradually improving as the evening progressed. By 8:30 pm, obstructions near Mayapuri and Ashoka Road had been cleared, paving the way for the gradual restoration of normal traffic flow across the city. Through the coordinated efforts of various agencies and the perseverance of traffic police personnel, most affected roads were eventually reopened to traffic, easing the burden on commuters.
As the city recovers from the aftermath of the storm, the resilience and swift response of authorities in managing the crisis serve as a testament to the collective efforts to restore order and normalcy to Delhi’s bustling streets. The challenges posed by natural disasters are met with determination and efficiency, ensuring the safety and convenience of all those navigating the city’s roads.
