All schools in Delhi closed on Monday as heavy rains continue

New Delhi : In response to the incessant rainfall in the national capital, Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has declared the closure of all schools on Monday. The announcement came after Delhi experienced a record-breaking downpour, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reporting 153 mm of rain in a 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday. This marks the highest recorded rainfall in a single day for the month of July since 1982.

The heavy rainfall is due to the convergence of a Western Disturbance and monsoonal winds, resulting in an intensified spell of rainfall over northwest India, including Delhi. The city witnessed its first "very heavy" rainfall of the season on Saturday, further exacerbating the situation.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter, stating in Hindi, "In view of the torrential rains in the last two days and keeping in mind the warnings of the meteorological department, all schools will remain closed on Monday."

According to a senior official from the IMD, the Safdarjung observatory, which serves as Delhi's primary weather station, recorded 153 mm of rain within the aforementioned 24-hour period. This exceeds the previous record of 169.9 mm of rainfall on July 25, 1982.

As the downpour continues, residents of Delhi are advised to exercise caution and stay updated with the latest weather forecasts. The closure of schools aims to ensure the safety of students and staff amid the challenging weather conditions.