Severe Weather Hits Delhi: Heavy Rains and Winds Cause Flooding and Flight Disruptions!

In a surprising turn of events, the weather in the national capital, Delhi, and its surrounding areas changed dramatically over the weekend. Heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds struck the region late Saturday evening, shortly after the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued warnings about severe weather conditions. The downpour, bolstered by thunder and lightning, offered relief to many residents who had been enduring sweltering summer heat. However, the impact was also felt with widespread waterlogging in several areas, disrupting daily life.

Severe Weather Warnings Issued

The IMD had previously predicted gusty winds with speeds reaching 60 to 80 km/h, along with heavy rainfall and storms in various districts of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. As a result, a red alert was issued for the Delhi-NCR region. Just hours after the warning, the forecast materialized, with heavy rainfall reported across numerous locales in the capital.

Waterlogging and Traffic Disruptions

Unfortunately, the effects of the sudden rain included significant waterlogging in various parts of Delhi. Areas like Minto Road, Humayun Road, and Shastri Bhawan saw extensive flooding. Notably, a car was discovered submerged at Minto Bridge, a site notorious for water accumulation after heavy rains. This state of affairs also contributed to severe traffic woes throughout the city.

• Minto Road and Humayun Road reported significant water accumulation.
• Minto Bridge was notably affected, with at least one car reported to be submerged.
• Traffic disruptions varied city-wide, affecting regular commutes.

Air Travel Impacts

The deteriorating weather conditions also took a toll on air travel in the region. Indigo Airlines informed passengers via X (formerly Twitter) that the adverse weather and air traffic congestion would impact several flights. Passengers were advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

Later updates from Indigo indicated that while the weather was improving, the backlog of air traffic still posed challenges for timely departures. SpiceJet echoed similar concerns, notifying passengers regarding potential delays in flight arrivals and departures due to the inclement weather, particularly in Delhi, Amritsar, and Chandigarh.

Delay in Weather Improvement

The weather transformation began late Saturday evening. By around 2 AM, strong winds began sweeping through the city, quickly followed by rain that was more pronounced in southern, western, and outer Delhi, with light showers also reported in Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad.

Short-term Relief From Heat

According to the IMD, the rainfall brought much-needed relief from the oppressive heat, which had seen daytime temperatures soaring to approximately 37 degrees Celsius. However, this respite may be short-lived, as projections show a gradual temperature increase from May 22-28, potentially peaking at 40 degrees Celsius towards the end of the month. Nighttime temperatures are likely to rise as well, climbing from about 21 degrees to 29 degrees Celsius by week’s end.

IMD Forecasts and Future Outlook

The IMD had sincerely warned that severe weather could affect several northern regions over the next few hours, attributing the unusual weather to a western disturbance moving through Rajasthan and progressing toward Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. The department’s timely alerts harden the significance of monitoring regional climates, especially during transitional seasons.

As residents of Delhi cope with the immediate impacts of this sudden weather change, the authorities remain vigilant regarding any additional weather-related disruptions that could arise in the days ahead. It serves as a poignant reminder of the dynamic nature of weather patterns, especially in a bustling metropolis like Delhi, where swift changes can have widespread consequences.