New Delhi\Kolkata:
A heavy downpour in the afternoon has left several areas in Delhi water-logged, creating a traffic nightmare for those returning home from work.
Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory, asking people to "avoid entire ring road from Moolchand to Dhaula Kuan" due to heavy rain.
Vehicles moved at a snail's pace in several areas in north and south Delhi as water overflowed from clogged drains, flooding roads. Commuters who were rushing to their destinations to celebrate the festival of Raksha Bandhan were stranded at several places due to the showers.
A technical fault on Delhi Metro's Blue Line route earlier in the day further added to commuters' misery. Hundreds of passengers were left stranded on platforms all along the busy route, before services were finally restored at 2 pm.
In several parts of south Delhi, vehicles had to wade through knee-deep water.
(Share pics)The showers have also brought down the temperature in the city by several notches.
Since the arrival of monsoon, the capital has received 650 mm of rainfall, 44 percent above the average.
Meanwhile, major thoroughfares in Kolkata were waterlogged after heavy rains lashed the city for the third consecutive day today. The eastern metropolis has received a total rainfall of 91.6 mm since 8.30 am on Monday.
Trees were uprooted at many places in the city today; traffic moved at a snail's pace, especially on the arterial stretches of EM Bypass, Central Avenue, Ruby Connector and Dharamtalla.
Harassed commuters, cloaked in raincoats and sheltered under umbrellas, waded their way through puddles.
Office-goers, stranded midway, huddled under shop canopies and in street markets.
Many schools declared a holiday as the local transport system was severely hit by the constant downpour. Car drivers switched on their lights while driving during the day to see better in the dim daylight.
The Met office has forecast more rains in the coming days.