A sudden spell of gusty winds and intense thunderstorms lashed Delhi-NCR on Saturday evening, bringing major traffic disruptions, flight delays, and widespread waterlogging. Heavy downpours combined with strong winds affected both air and road transport networks, leading to chaos for commuters and travellers across the capital region.
Thunderstorms Disrupt Daily Life Across Delhi-NCR
The Delhi-NCR thunderstorms caused widespread disruption across the national capital and adjoining cities, including Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a warning for strong winds and thunderstorms in the region, and the forecast proved accurate.
The sudden weather shift caused heavy waterlogging in areas like South Extension, Moti Bagh, and the ITO stretch. Commuters waded through knee-deep water on roads flooded by intense rain and poor drainage. Vehicles crawled at a snail’s pace due to low visibility and waterlogged streets, adding to the evening traffic chaos.
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Roads in several key zones were blocked, and authorities had to deploy emergency response teams to manage traffic and clear the flooded areas. The storm also caused trees to fall and minor property damage in certain neighbourhoods, further compounding the situation.
Air Travel Severely Impacted By Thunderstorms
The Delhi-NCR thunderstorms severely affected air travel, delaying and diverting several flights due to poor visibility and strong winds. IndiGo Airlines, on X (formerly Twitter), confirmed disruption at Delhi Airport and urged passengers to check flight schedules regularly. Air India also released an advisory, asking travellers to plan airport transfers wisely and stay updated through official channels. Flight delays led to long queues at terminals, with diverted traffic causing congestion on alternate routes to the airport.
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The weather event disrupted both departures and arrivals, prompting authorities to reroute many incoming flights to nearby airports in Jaipur and Lucknow to ensure passenger safety.
Commuters Advised To Use Alternate Routes
Due to the widespread waterlogging and traffic snarls, commuters across Delhi-NCR were advised to avoid low-lying areas and major traffic-prone junctions. Areas such as Lajpat Nagar, Dhaula Kuan, and Vasant Vihar experienced major slowdowns as reported by local traffic updates.
As rainfall is expected to continue intermittently, the IMD has asked residents to remain cautious. Local authorities have also deployed drainage and maintenance teams to reduce water accumulation on roads and improve flow across arterial routes.
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Passengers travelling to and from the airport are encouraged to check traffic conditions and leave well in advance. Metro rail services, largely unaffected by the storm, remain a viable alternative for those looking to bypass road congestion.
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