Delhi: Heavy rains hit region; Chief Minister announces holiday for schools tomorrow

NEW DELHI: The chief minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal has announced a holiday for all schools tomorrow, July 10, considering the heavy rains. All schools in Delhi across educational boards -- state government, private or semi government-aided, in the capital will remain closed tomorrow.

Sharing a tweet on social media, the chief minister said: “In view of the torrential rains lashing Delhi since last 2 days and warnings from the Meteorological Department, all schools in Delhi are being closed for a day tomorrow.”

दिल्ली में पिछले 2 दिनों से हो रही मूसलाधार बरसात और मौसम विभाग की चेतावनियों को ध्यान में रखते हुए कल दिल्ली के सभी स्कूलों को एक दिन के लिए बंद किया जा रहा है।

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 9, 2023

Several parts of Delhi have been receiving heavy rains since Saturday, July 8. Water logging, buildings and school walls collapsing, and Delhi Fire Service has reported the death of one person. On Saturday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast high-intensity rain for the next 2-3 days in Delhi.

"This week, North-West India, including Delhi, will witness rain, the intensity of the rain will be high for 2-3 days, and the intensity will reduce after that. There will be some relief from the heat during this period," said Charan Singh, Head of IMD, Delhi to PTI.

The IMD further said a western disturbance prevailed over northern India which led to an intense spell of rain on Saturday, including Delhi which experienced the season's first heavy rain.

The Safdarjung observatory, the city's primary weather station, recorded 153 mm rain in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday, July 9, the highest since the 24-hour rainfall of 169.9 mm on July 25, 1982, a senior IMD official said.

(With inputs from PTI)