Storm, heavy rain disrupt city, 16 flights diverted
Heavy rain and a sudden dust storm battered Delhi and the National Capital Region on Wednesday evening, disrupting air traffic, triggering power outages, and causing widespread traffic snarls during peak hours.
At least 16 flights were diverted at Indira Gandhi International Airport as strong winds and poor visibility hit operations. Airlines issued advisories urging passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport.
The abrupt change in weather came after a day of cloudy skies and a relatively pleasant morning. By evening, dark clouds, gusty winds, and intense showers swept across the city, catching commuters off guard. Visuals from across the Capital showed long traffic jams as rain lashed roads during rush hour. Waterlogging in several stretches slowed vehicular movement, adding to the chaos.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for the next two days, warning of similar weather conditions, including thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. According to the IMD, light to moderate rainfall accompanied by winds of 30 to 40 kmph was likely across Delhi and NCR. The department also cautioned that wind speeds could gust up to 50 kmph in some areas.
Weather data showed the intensity of the storm. The highest wind speed of 68 km/h was recorded at Pragati Maidan, followed by 65 km/h at Pusa. Other areas also experienced strong winds, including 50 kmph at Palam, 46 kmph at Lodhi Road, and over 40 kmph in several parts of the city.
The strong winds led to power outages in multiple areas after overhead lines were affected. Residents reported blackouts and disruptions in the electricity supply as the storm intensified. Authorities issued safety advisories, urging people to remain indoors and avoid weak structures. Citizens were also asked to stay away from trees, electric poles, and loose wires, and to secure objects that could be blown away by strong winds.
The weather department said the current spell is due to an active western disturbance affecting northwestern India. It is expected to influence weather conditions in Delhi until Friday.
