A ferocious spell of pre-monsoon rain lashed the National Capital Region in the early hours of Sunday, triggering chaos across the city. More than 100 flights were affected, underpasses were flooded, and commuters were left stranded as gusty winds and thunderstorms pummelled Delhi and adjoining areas.
The Indira Gandhi International Airport bore the brunt of the storm. According to airport authorities, at least 49 flights were diverted between 11:30 pm on Saturday and 4:00 am on Sunday due to inclement weather. An advisory issued by the Delhi Airport at 6:50 am stated: “Due to adverse weather conditions last night, some flights have been impacted. Passengers are advised to check their flight status regularly and stay in touch with airline staff for updates. Our on-ground teams are diligently working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience.”
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast thunderstorms and rain in Delhi and surrounding regions on Saturday, issuing a red alert. The prediction largely held true as the capital awoke to waterlogged roads and uprooted trees.
According to IMD, wind speeds reached up to 82 km/h at Safdarjung, with Pragati Maidan recording 76 km/h, and Delhi University logging the lowest at 37 km/h. Rainfall measurements until early morning included 81 mm in Safdarjung, 71 mm in Pusa, 68 mm in Palam, and 48 mm in Mayur Vihar. Most other parts of the city received rainfall ranging between 5 and 8 cm.
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Visuals from across the capital highlighted the extent of the waterlogging. A car was seen almost entirely submerged at the Minto Road underpass. Similar scenes were reported near Terminal 1 of the Delhi Airport and in residential areas like Moti Bagh and Mayur Vihar.
Traffic congestion was witnessed at Dhaula Kuan, while clearance work was underway at Akbar Road, where several trees were uprooted during the storm. Severe waterlogging was also reported in Nanakpura Underpass, adding to the woes of early morning commuters.
The IMD’s Nowcast warning had cautioned of “strong thunderstorms, rain, and high-speed winds over the next two to three hours”. The advisory, based on the movement of a thunderstorm cell from the west/northwest, also warned of likely damage to banana and papaya crops and falling of dry tree limbs.
The department urged citizens to stay indoors and avoid unstable structures, open spaces, and water bodies. It further cautioned: “Possible impacts from the thunderstorm include tree uprooting and branch breaking… Dust storms may also occur in some parts of the city.”
The rainfall did bring a measure of relief from the capital’s rising mercury levels, but at the cost of major urban disruption. Emergency services were deployed across vulnerable pockets to aid clearance and rescue efforts.
The IMD also recorded a similar weather event earlier last week when a thunderstorm cell led to winds blowing at 50–60 km/h, gusting up to 70 km/h, with light rainfall and power outages reported across the capital.
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