New Delhi: Heavy rain and thunderstorms lashed the national capital on Monday, forcing the diversion of 15 flights bound for Indira Gandhi International Airport and choking major roads with waterlogging and traffic jams.
The India Meteorological Department had issued a red alert for heavy rain and a yellow alert for moderate rain across several districts of Delhi. The warning held true through the day, with thunderstorms, lightning and winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour reported in multiple areas of the city.
The sudden intensity of the downpour caught many residents off guard even though the weather office had flagged the possibility well in advance. Streets that are normally busy with weekday traffic saw vehicles crawling for kilometres, while several flights scheduled to land through the late morning and afternoon window bore the brunt of the disruption.
Flight Operations Disrupted
Of the 15 diverted flights, 12 were redirected to Jaipur, two to Chandigarh and one to Lucknow. Three of the flights sent to Jaipur were international services, according to airport sources.
Poor visibility combined with strong crosswinds made landings unsafe during the peak of the storm, prompting pilots to hold or divert as a precautionary measure. Passengers at diversion airports reported extended waits for onward connections, with several taking to social media to share images of grounded aircraft and crowded terminals.
Airport officials said the diversions were carried out as a standard safety protocol followed during periods of severe weather at any major hub. Ground staff at Delhi airport worked to manage the backlog of delayed departures and arrivals once conditions began to ease, though several passengers said they received limited communication about revised schedules during the peak disruption.
Airlines Issue Advisories
Multiple carriers issued advisories through the day, warning passengers that consequential flights could also be affected and urging them to check flight status before leaving for the airport.
IndiGo said in a statement, “Bad weather over Delhi has impacted flight schedules. We are closely monitoring the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly.”
SpiceJet said, “Due to bad weather in Delhi (DEL), all departures, arrivals and their consequential flights might be affected. Passengers are requested to check their flight status.”
Akasa Air added, “Due to severe weather conditions in Delhi certain flights across our network have been impacted. We realize that this may inconvenience your travel plans and seek your patience and understanding.”
Roads Choked By Waterlogging
The impact of the storm extended well beyond the airport. Several arterial roads and low lying underpasses across the city reported waterlogging, slowing traffic to a crawl in many areas.
The India Meteorological Department noted that heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds was reported at isolated places in South East Delhi, East Delhi, Shahdara, Central Delhi, North East Delhi, South Delhi, New Delhi, South West Delhi and West Delhi. The spread of the showers meant congestion was reported across multiple zones rather than a single stretch of the city.
Commuters described journeys taking significantly longer than usual, and traffic police were deployed at key intersections to manage the disruption as the rain continued through the afternoon. Several underpasses that are known to flood quickly during heavy showers saw vehicles stall midway, adding to the congestion during peak office hours.
Weather Office Advisory
According to the IMD, the minimum temperature in the city stood slightly above normal, indicating that the system brought both rainfall and a rise in humidity rather than any sharp fall in temperature.
The department’s colour coded alert system, ranging from yellow to red, is intended to give authorities and residents advance notice of severe weather. In this instance, the red alert for heavy rain matched the intensity of conditions that unfolded across the city through the day.
Officials said the system responsible for the rain was expected to gradually move away from the region by evening, though isolated spells of moderate rain could not be ruled out in parts of the National Capital Region over the following hours.
What Comes Next
Airport authorities and airlines are expected to keep monitoring conditions closely, with the possibility of further delays or diversions if the weather does not stabilise soon. Passengers travelling to or from Delhi in the coming days have been advised to track updates from their respective airlines before heading to the airport.
City authorities are also likely to review drainage and traffic management in the affected areas, given how frequently such disruptions recur during spells of heavy rain. For now, the focus remains on clearing the backlog of delayed and diverted flights and restoring normal traffic flow across the capital.
