Delhi and its surrounding National Capital Region were hit by a strong dust storm on Sunday evening; Delhiites experienced thunderstorms, gusty winds, and light rainfall. The India Meteorological Department had forecast this sudden change in weather. They warned the residents and travellers about the gusty winds reaching up to 80 km/h. Amid this change in weather conditions, Delhi Airport and several airlines issued advisories for all travellers.
Strong Dust Storm Hits Delhi And Surrounding Areas
The storm in Delhi impacted several parts of NCR, including key cities like Faridabad in Haryana, Noida in Uttar Pradesh, and Gurugram. According to the Money Control reports, IMD had earlier forecasted that an east-southeastward-moving cloud cluster would bring light to very light rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds over southern parts of Delhi between 3.45 p.m. and 5.45 p.m. IST.
As soon as the dust storm hit Delhi, the visibility dropped significantly. Alongside the dust, light rains and thunderclaps signalled the intensity of the storm. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport issued timely warnings for travellers. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), it assured the passengers that all flight operations are running smoothly despite the weather and advised caution.
The airport urged all passengers to consider alternative transport options, like the Delhi Metro, to avoid delays caused by slower road traffic. The airport also assured that ground teams were working closely with airline partners and other stakeholders to make sure the operations ran smoothly while ensuring passenger safety.
Airlines Advise Passengers To Check Flight Status
Several airlines also posted on Twitter and advised travellers to stay careful. Air India warned that rain and thunderstorms may affect flights to and from Delhi this evening and encouraged passengers to check their flight status online and also consider extra travel time to the airport.
Noting the ongoing thunderstorms and rain, IndiGo also warned travellers about delays and slower traffic to the airport. They advised the travellers to check their flight status regularly. SpiceJet alerted that all departures and arrivals could be affected by the weather and urged them to monitor their flight status via their official website.
For everyone travelling to or from Delhi today, here are some quick tips:
- Visit your airline’s website or application to frequently check your flight status.
- Ditch cabs and use the Delhi Metro to reach the airport quicker.
- If you are taking the road, count in extra time for your commute to the airport, as the weather may slow down the road traffic.
- Protect yourself from dust outdoors with a mask or a scarf.
It is important to stay safe and updated about the live weather and flight information to avoid any inconveniences.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva/marrio31
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