As many as 49 flights were diverted on Sunday night due to heavy rains and gusty winds in Delhi, airport sources said. The Delhi airport advised passengers to check their flight status regularly. Due to adverse weather conditions, the temperature also dropped. Waterlogging and traffic jams continued in many areas.
On Sunday morning, following intense rainfall and powerful winds in the national capital, 49 flights, comprising 17 international ones, were rerouted between 11:30 pm and 4 am. "Due to unfavorable weather conditions in Delhi, 49 flights were redirected between 11:30 pm and 4 am. Operations returned to normal afterward. Airport officials confirmed the 49 flights included 17 international flights. An advisory for passengers was released by the Delhi airport at 06:50 am on Sunday.
In a message on Ex-show, Delhi Airport reported, 'Some flights have been impacted due to unfavorable weather conditions last night. Passengers are encouraged to frequently verify their flight status and contact airline personnel for information updates,' the airline stated. Our ground teams are collaborating closely with all parties involved to provide passengers with a smooth and efficient experience.'
Simultaneously, records from Lodhi Road indicate that temperatures fell from 31 to 22 degrees Celsius to a range of 8 to 10 degrees Celsius. This decrease occurred between 1:15 am and 2:30 am today due to a thunderstorm. At Safdarjung Airport, the temperature decreased from 31.0 degrees Celsius to 21.0 degrees Celsius. At Palam Airport, it fell from 29.0 degrees Celsius to 22.0 degrees Celsius. In Pusa, the temperature went down from 31.8 degrees Celsius to 20.5 degrees Celsius. At Pragati Maidan, it dropped from 31.4 degrees Celsius to 21.3 degrees Celsius. At Lodhi Road, the temperature decreased from 31.0 degrees Celsius to 22.3 degrees Celsius.
In the past 24 hours, Delhi experienced 69.6 mm of rainfall at Lodhi Road by 08:30 am today, 37.0 mm in Aya Nagar, 81.4 mm in Safdarjung, 68.5 mm in Palam, and 69.1 mm in Ridge. Affected areas include regions near Terminal 1, Moti Bagh, Minto Road, and Delhi. Images from Minto Road in Delhi depict a car submerged due to waterlogging from the heavy rain. Evacuation efforts took place on Akbar Road after numerous trees were uprooted by the storm and heavy rain in the NCR last night. Severe waterlogging was observed in several areas of Delhi following the heavy rains.
Traffic congestion and sluggish vehicle movement were observed at Dhaula Kuan. Intense water accumulation occurred at the Nanakpura underpass following heavy rainfall. Numerous regions in Jhajjar, Haryana, also experienced intense rain accompanied by a thunderstorm. Previously, on Saturday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for Delhi and nearby areas, cautioning about thunderstorms, rain, and strong winds within the next two to three hours.
This notice is part of the Nowcast Warning due to the current weather situation. The IMD reports that a thunderstorm is moving towards Delhi and nearby areas from the west/northwest. This may result in continuous lightning and strong winds (with speeds of 40-60 km/h or higher) along with thunderstorm or dust-blowing wind activity in several parts of the city over the next one to two hours. The Meteorological Department has advised residents to take necessary precautions. The IMD has cautioned people to avoid open areas and not to seek shelter under trees. They have also advised citizens to steer clear of weak walls or unstable structures and stay away from water bodies.
Thunderstorms can potentially cause trees to be uprooted and branches to snap. Crops like bananas and papayas might experience moderate harm, and dry tree branches could fall due to powerful winds. In certain areas of the city, dust storms might also happen. Officials have advised the public to stay alert and take all essential measures to ensure safety.