A sudden and intense rainstorm early Friday morning caused widespread disruption across the Delhi-NCR region, with severe waterlogging, uprooted trees, broken-down vehicles, and delayed flights contributing to citywide chaos.
Key locations including Gurgaon, Minto Road, and Delhi Airport were heavily inundated, bringing traffic to a near halt and forcing many to abandon vehicles or wait for assistance.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an urgent advisory alerting residents about ongoing severe weather over Delhi-NCR. The advisory urged people to stay indoors, avoid travel, and steer clear of trees, electrical appliances, and waterlogged areas.
Travel Impact and Flight Delays
At Delhi Airport, several flights were delayed due to inclement weather and thunderstorms. In a public statement, airport officials advised passengers to check with airlines for real-time updates and confirmed that on-ground teams were working to minimize disruptions.
“Due to thunderstorms in Delhi, some flights have been impacted. Our teams are working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless passenger experience,” read a post from Delhi Airport on X.
IMD Forecast and Future Alerts
The IMD had earlier forecast scattered to fairly widespread rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds (40–60 kmph) for Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan from May 1 to May 6. The agency also warned of isolated hailstorms in Uttarakhand and thundersquall winds reaching 60 kmph on May 3.
In higher-altitude areas including Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the weather body predicted moderate to heavy rainfall with lightning and gusty winds over the same period.
Public Safety and Advisory
Authorities have warned residents to avoid low-lying areas, unplug electrical equipment, and remain alert to sudden shifts in weather. Police and emergency teams have been deployed across several affected zones to clear fallen trees and assist stranded commuters.
Civic agencies are working to drain water from flooded underpasses and roads. Meanwhile, traffic police continue to issue real-time traffic updates to help commuters navigate congested zones.