Delhi-NCR Faces Severe Weather: Rain, Thunderstorms, and Traffic Chaos
Severe Weather Hits Delhi-NCR
New Delhi: The Delhi-NCR region was hit by intense rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds overnight, resulting in significant waterlogging, disrupted air travel, fallen trees obstructing roads, and heavy traffic congestion across the area.
Key locations in the national capital, such as Minto Road, the vicinity of Delhi Airport, and Moti Bagh, faced severe waterlogging and fallen trees, creating major challenges for commuters.
Traffic conditions deteriorated in the early morning hours due to flooded streets and debris, making travel difficult for many residents.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had previously issued a red alert for Delhi and nearby areas on Saturday, forecasting heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and wind gusts of 40-60 km/h. This alert was based on a 'Nowcast' model that tracks developing weather patterns in real-time.
The IMD urged the public to avoid open areas, steer clear of water bodies, refrain from taking shelter under trees, and exercise caution around unstable structures.
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) faced operational disruptions due to the adverse weather. IndiGo Airlines announced on X at 3:59 a.m. that poor weather conditions had temporarily halted flight operations. By approximately 6 a.m., the airline confirmed that normal operations had resumed.
Airport authorities in Delhi also acknowledged that some flights were affected and advised travelers to verify flight updates and maintain communication with their airlines.
"Due to the severe weather conditions last night, several flights have been impacted. Passengers are encouraged to regularly check their flight status and stay in contact with airline personnel for updates. Our ground teams are working closely with all stakeholders to ensure a smooth and efficient passenger experience," stated the announcement from Delhi Airport.
In Ghaziabad, the weather turned pleasant following the heavy rain and strong storm overnight, providing relief from the heat. However, waterlogging persisted in numerous areas, especially in Indirapuram and Swarn Jayanti Park, where waterlogging was visible from the park to adjacent roads.
Power outages were also reported in various parts of Delhi-NCR following the intense dust storm and heavy rainfall.
This weather event comes on the heels of the early arrival of the southwest monsoon in Kerala, which began on May 23, a week ahead of the usual June 1 onset. This marks the earliest monsoon arrival since 2009.
Typically, the monsoon covers the entire country by July 8 and begins to retreat from northwest India around September 17.