As many as 15 flights bound for Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were diverted on Monday as intense thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds disrupted air and road traffic across the national capital, reports said.
Of the diverted flights, 12 were rerouted to Jaipur, two to Chandigarh and one to Lucknow. Major airlines, including IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air, issued advisories warning passengers of possible delays and operational disruptions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for several parts of Delhi, warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds. Wind speeds were reported to be in the range of 30–60 kmph in affected areas.
The adverse weather also caused widespread disruption on the ground. Heavy morning showers resulted in waterlogging and severe traffic congestion across several parts of Delhi-NCR, including Gurugram, Noida and Ghaziabad. Commuters faced delays as rainwater accumulated on major roads and arterial routes.
Several key stretches, including parts of Lutyens' Delhi, Mathura Road, Connaught Place, Bhairon Marg, ITO and the Zakhira underpass, were waterlogged, triggering traffic snarls.
With weather conditions continuing to affect transport operations, authorities advised passengers travelling to or from Delhi airport to check their flight status with airlines before leaving for the airport. Commuters were also encouraged to consider the Delhi Metro for airport travel where feasible.
The IMD’s warning comes as monsoon activity intensifies over the national capital, with further rain and thunderstorms possible. Passengers and motorists have been advised to exercise caution and allow additional travel time amid the ongoing weather disruption.
Videos shared on social media showed at least a dozen students wading through waist-deep water in Sangam Vihar. Residents in Sadar Bazar were also seen navigating waist-deep water after rainwater accumulated in the Old Delhi area. The locality had faced a similar situation a few weeks ago.
Roads in the Kamla Nagar market area were also submerged, while waterlogging was reported from Sangam Vihar and Bhalswa in outer Delhi.
Water accumulation was reported near Bhairon Marg, ITO, Mathura Road, the inner and outer circles of Connaught Place, New Ashok Nagar Metro Station, Burari, CR Park and Alaknanda. Visuals also showed commuters wading through water at the Zakhira underpass and waterlogging near Shivaji Stadium.
According to rainfall data available till 1.15 pm, Janakpuri recorded the highest rainfall at 67 mm, followed by Chhatarpur at 57 mm, Pitampura at 35 mm and Safdarjung at 29 mm.
Between 8.30 am and 11.30 am, Chhatarpur recorded the highest rainfall in the city at 28 mm, according to the IMD. Lodi Road received 24.6 mm, followed by Pitampura at 18.5 mm. The Ridge recorded 5 mm, Mayur Vihar 1.5 mm, Safdarjung 1 mm and Ayanagar 0.1 mm during the period.
The IMD issued a red alert for heavy rain across Delhi for a few hours. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph were also forecast in parts of the city.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms were reported at isolated places across South East Delhi, East Delhi, Shahdara, Central Delhi, North East Delhi, South Delhi, New Delhi, South West Delhi, West Delhi, North West Delhi and North Delhi.
Meanwhile, Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 27.8 degrees Celsius on Monday, 1.4 degrees above normal. The Ridge recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the city at 24 degrees Celsius.
(With inputs from PTI)
