Soaked and Stranded: Delhi’s Downpour Disrupts Air Travel

Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) were lashed by heavy rain and strong winds early on Friday morning, causing widespread disruption in the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had already issued a red alert, predicting severe thunderstorms and squally winds of 70-80 kmph. The maximum wind speed was measured at 80 kmph at Safdarjung, while other locations like Palam and Pragati Maidan also saw strong gusts.

 

The sudden downpour caused the temperature to drop by up to 10°C, providing temporary relief from the usual scorching May heat. However, the adverse weather conditions led to significant waterlogging in several localities, including Lajpat Nagar, RK Puram, and Dwarka, crippling movement and adding to the morning rush-hour woes.

 

Flight Operations Severely Impacted

 

Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) were severely disrupted. More than 100 flights were delayed and some were diverted-some to Jaipur and Ahmedabad-owing to the adverse weather. Some airlines like IndiGo and Air India also put out advisories advising passengers to check their flight status and also give themselves more time to arrive at the airport because of potential waterlogging and heavy traffic on the way. The airport authorities stated that although operations were slowly getting back to normal, some disruption to schedules continued during the morning.

 

Other Impacts and Advisories

Key Sources: India Today, The Indian Express, Business Standard, Economic Times