A powerful spell of thunderstorms and heavy rain early Friday morning significantly disrupted daily life in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The sudden weather shift, which included a dust storm and strong gusty winds, offered relief from the prolonged heatwave but caused major interruptions, especially in air travel and infrastructure.
Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were notably affected. Multiple flights were either delayed or diverted due to poor visibility and stormy conditions. Leading airlines such as IndiGo and Air India issued public advisories urging passengers to check the status of their flights and plan travel accordingly. IndiGo specifically highlighted that road traffic could also be impacted by the heavy downpour, while Air India cited storm-related delays across its Northern India routes.
The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) confirmed on social media that the weather had indeed disrupted flight operations. However, they assured that ground teams were working closely with all stakeholders to minimize inconvenience. Passengers were encouraged to stay in touch with airlines for live updates.
In terms of weather statistics, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 26.8°C, which is slightly higher than the usual seasonal average. Continued thunderstorms and intermittent rain are expected throughout the day, with the maximum temperature projected to reach 37°C.
The storm also impacted infrastructure at the airport. Notably, a metal structure collapsed at Terminal 3 due to high winds. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but the incident serves as a reminder of the intensity and unpredictability of seasonal storms in the region.
While the rainfall helped ease the scorching summer heat, the disruptions to air travel, infrastructure, and commuter traffic reflect the challenges posed by such sudden weather events. Authorities remain on high alert, and citizens are advised to follow updates from IMD and transport services.
