Indian capital hit badly by heavy rainfall

Indian capital came to a standstill Wednesday with road and air traffic hit badly by heavy showers in periodic spells since Tuesday evening, "Several roads are waterlogged across various parts of the national capital, giving commuters a harrowing time. Buses and cars are also moving at a very slow pace due to waterlogged roads. A large number of traffic policemen are manning the roads as many electronic traffic signals have gone out of order," a senior police official said. Meanwhile, at least 12 domestic flights have been canceled at the Indira Gandhi International Airport due to heavy rainfall. " Some 12 flights, going out and coming to the airport were canceled as pilots decided not to take any risk. A couple of international flights are delayed," a senior aviation official said. The Metro Railway services have also been hit as trains are running very slow due to heavy rains, an official said, adding that more and more people were taking the Metro because of traffic jams on roads. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the national capital's government to set up an expert panel to solve the perennial problem of waterlogging by suggesting effective steps so that " people don't rush to the courts every time there is waterlogging". Northern India, including the national capital, has been witnessing heavy rainfall this month which is said to be the wettest August in many years.