India, July 10 -- Rush-hour commuters were stranded on the roads and flight schedules disrupted on Wednesday evening after a northward shift in the monsoon triggered rains in several parts of Delhi, inundating streets in knee-deep water.

The showers marked a rapid turnaround in the weather, after a muggy afternoon, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to revise its forecast as dark clouds started cloaking the city. IMD said more rain would whip the city on Thursday, but wane from Friday.

Wednesday's showers were uneven, with the wettest part of Delhi receiving 60mm of rain and the driest, 1.4mm. But the traffic disruptions were widespread, as drains overflowed in many arterial roads and crucial intersections.

Lengthy tra...