NEW DELHI: A powerful thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rain lashed Delhi overnight and caused widespread disruption across the city, including delayed flights, waterlogged roads, uprooted trees, and electricity poles.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the storm brought wind speeds of up to 82 kmph and 81.2 mm of rainfall within just six hours, from 11.30 pm to 5.30 am.The downpour severely impacted flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. According to airport sources, 49 flights were diverted between 11.30 pm and 4 am due to adverse weather conditions.IndiGo, in a post on X at 3.59 am, confirmed “temporary disruptions in flight operations” and noted that airside congestion was easing. By 5.54 am, the airline said that flight operations had resumed with clearer skies over the capital. However, according to Flightradar24.com, several flights remained delayed or cancelled, with average departure delays of over 30 minutes.Meanwhile, multiple key roads including Moti Bagh, Minto Road, Delhi Cantonment, and Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, were partially submerged due to heavy waterlogging. Visuals from Delhi Cantt showed a bus and a vehicle submerged in a flooded underpass.Other affected areas included ITO, Dhaula Kuan, Subroto Park, Nanakpura Underpass, and Chanakyapuri, where severe waterlogging led to massive traffic congestion. The IMD had earlier issued a red alert for Delhi and adjoining areas on Saturday, warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds for the next few hours.
