Delhi Metro witnesses record footfall amid heavy rains

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on June 28 witnessed a staggering footfall of over 69 lakh passengers.

The heavy rainfall, which led to widespread waterlogging across the city, prompted many commuters to choose the Metro over private vehicles or other modes of travel.

On that day, the DMRC reported a remarkable 69,36,425 passenger journeys, marking a significant increase from the 62,58,072 journeys recorded the previous day.

According to Delhi Metro officials, this surge indicates that commuters relied on the Metro system despite adverse weather conditions.

Despite the challenges posed by waterlogging at some Metro station premises and entry/exit points, the DMRC maintained uninterrupted services throughout the day.

The Metro operated with an impressive punctuality rate of 99.95 per cent, ensuring seamless travel for passengers.

Friday's heavy rainfall set a new record for June, with the city receiving 288.1 mm of rain within 24 hours.

This rainfall level has not been seen since 1936, making it the highest in 88 years. Additionally, it ranks as the second-highest rainfall in the period from 1901 to 2024.

The deluge inundated the capital's infrastructure, causing traffic snarls on major roads such as the Ring Road, Outer Ring Road, Aurobindo Marg, Tilak Bridge, Rohtak Road, and Minto Road. Commuters faced hours of delays due to the adverse weather conditions.

Tragically, the heavy winds and rain also led to the collapse of the canopy at IGI Airport's Terminal 1 (T1) early on Friday morning. The incident resulted in the destruction of four cars, one fatality, and injuries to eight others.