The downpour brought much-needed relief from the relentless summer heat and offered a refreshing start to the day. However, while the showers were a welcome respite, they also triggered widespread waterlogging in several parts of the region.
Residents of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) woke up to a sudden change in weather early Friday as heavy rainfall, accompanied by gusty winds, lashed the region. The downpour brought much-needed relief from the relentless summer heat and offered a refreshing start to the day. However, while the showers were a welcome respite, they also triggered widespread waterlogging in several parts of the region.
Key areas such as Dwarka Underpass, South Extension Ring Road, Minto Road, RK Puram, Khanpur, and Lajpat Nagar faced waterlogging, which also led to traffic disruptions and commuter inconvenience in the morning.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Delhi on Friday, warning residents to brace for intense weather activity. The national capital is set to witness severe thunderstorms accompanied by squally winds, with speeds reaching 70 to 80 kmph over the next couple of hours, it added.
In light of the alert, the weather department has also outlined the likely impacts and advised citizens to take necessary precautions. Potential disruptions include damage to vulnerable structures, uprooting of trees, flight delays, and traffic snarls due to reduced visibility and water accumulation. Power lines and temporary constructions may also be affected.
To ensure public safety, the weather department has suggested key actions: Check here
Flight services affected
Flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi here were impacted on Friday morning due to thunderstorms and gusty winds, officials said. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which operates the airport, said some flights were affected owing to inclement weather conditions. “Our on-ground teams are diligently working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience,” DIAL said in a post on X at 5.20 am. Notably, the Indira Gandhi International Airport is the country’s largest and busiest airport, handling around 1,300 flight movements daily.
Air India issues advisory
The gusty winds accompanying the rain also had a ripple effect on flight operations across Northern India. Air India issued a travel advisory in light of the weather disturbances, urging passengers to stay updated on their flight schedules and check their flight status before leaving for the airport. “Thunderstorms and gusty winds have affected flight operations in parts of Northern India. Some of our flights to and from Delhi are being delayed, which is likely to impact our overall flight schedule. We are doing our best to minimise disruptions,” Air India said in its statement on X.
