Heavy rain in Delhi-NCR
The skies over Delhi-NCR unleashed their full fury early Thursday morning, as a powerful cocktail of heavy rain, fierce dust storms, and winds clocking up to 80 kmph battered the region. The sudden weather shift caused widespread disruption and tragic loss of life.
Heavy rain in Delhi-NCR
In a heartbreaking incident in Dwarka, a woman and her three children lost their lives after a tree, uprooted by the storm, collapsed onto their home. The calamity cast a grim shadow over a morning already plagued by travel chaos.
Over 120 flights were delayed and at least three including those from Bangalore and Pune were diverted to Jaipur and Ahmedabad as turbulence roiled operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Arrival delays averaged 21 minutes, while departures lagged by an hour on average, according to FlightRadar.
Heavy rain in Delhi-NCR
Air India and other airlines scrambled to respond, urging travelers to check flight statuses before heading out. “Some of our flights to and from Delhi are being delayed or diverted,” said Air India in a statement on X, “We are doing our best to minimize disruptions.”
But the skies weren’t the only thing in turmoil. The railways too bore the brunt, with around 15–20 trains delayed after falling trees damaged overhead wires across the Delhi division.
Heavy rain in Delhi-NCR
Meanwhile, the downpour transformed city roads into rivers. Waterlogging was reported in several areas including Dwarka, Khanpur, South Extension Ring Road, Minto Road, Lajpat Nagar, and Moti Bagh. Residents were advised to stay indoors as more storms are expected.
Heavy rain in Delhi-NCR
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported staggering rainfall levels in just three hours: 77 mm at Safdarjung, 78 mm at Lodhi Road, and 30 mm in Palam. A yellow alert remains in place for Delhi until Saturday, with predictions of more thunderstorms, heavy rain, and gusty winds.
Ironically, while the storm brought short-term chaos, it also provided a welcome respite from the scorching pre-summer heat. Delhi’s temperature dropped to a cool 19.8°C a stark contrast to the 38.1°C recorded the previous evening.
Heavy rain in Delhi-NCR
According to IMD projections, May is expected to be unusually wet for northern India, with rainfall surpassing 109% of the long-period average. Frequent thunderstorms could help keep this May cooler than last year’s blazing summer.
Nature has made its presence felt with a roar. Stay safe, stay informed. Have you been affected by today’s weather events?
