A powerful and sudden thunderstorm hit Delhi late Friday night, causing widespread disruption across the city. What started as light rain escalated rapidly into a high-intensity weather event with gale-force winds, thunder, lightning, and heavy showers.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!By dawn on Saturday, the capital bore all the signs of an urban emergency—submerged roads, delayed flights, fallen trees, and lives lost. The storm served as a grim reminder of Delhi’s recurring struggles with seasonal weather, despite decades of policy promises and infrastructure upgrades.
Chaos in the Skies: Flight Schedule in Disarray
Indira Gandhi International Airport, one of the busiest in the country, witnessed a wave of flight diversions and delays. A total of 49 flights were rerouted to nearby cities after wind speeds crossed safe landing thresholds and visibility dropped dramatically.
Airport authorities assured that safety protocols were followed. However, passengers described the experience as “confusing and exhausting,” with several flights held mid-air or circling for extended periods before diverting. Crowded terminals added to the frustration.
One incident at Terminal 3 where a section of the roofing came loose due to the wind has raised new questions about weather-proofing at critical infrastructure facilities.
Flooded Roads, Stalled Traffic
Several areas of Delhi were transformed into virtual lakes. From Minto Road in central Delhi to arterial roads in South Delhi’s Saket and Malviya Nagar, commuters faced ankle to knee-deep water.
In places like East of Kailash and Rajouri Garden, videos showed stranded vehicles and people wading through water with shoes in hand. Underpasses were among the worst affected, with police barricading flooded sections to prevent accidents.
Despite the deployment of civic workers and machinery, many residents criticized the city’s lack of stormwater management, which has been a recurring complaint each monsoon.
Tragic Casualties and Emergency Response
In a heartbreaking incident in Dwarka’s Kharkhari area, four people were killed when a tree collapsed on a tin-roofed tubewell room they were sheltering in during the storm. A fifth individual was rescued but sustained serious injuries.
Emergency responders reached the site quickly, but the deaths have prompted calls for stricter tree inspections and safety audits in storm-prone neighborhoods.
Delhi Fire Service reported responding to over 90 distress calls ranging from waterlogging to structural damage and electric short circuits. Fortunately, other than the Dwarka incident, no further major injuries were reported.
Power Cuts Add to Misery
High-velocity winds damaged power lines and transformers in several parts of Delhi, plunging localities into darkness. In East Delhi’s Patparganj and South Delhi’s Hauz Khas, residents were without electricity for more than 8 hours.
Utility providers cited fallen trees and broken cables as the primary cause and assured residents that repair teams were deployed in full force.
IMD Cautions of Continued Storm Risk
The India Meteorological Department reiterated its red alert for Delhi and adjoining regions, warning of possible further thunderstorms over the weekend. Officials advised residents to stay indoors during adverse weather and to avoid taking shelter under trees or near electric poles.
They also warned that sudden weather fluctuations would become increasingly common as part of broader climate shifts—a message echoed by environmentalists and urban planners.
The Road Ahead: Preparedness and Accountability
The storm has renewed public demand for long-term climate resilience strategies. While emergency services responded quickly, many Delhiites feel that reactive measures are not enough.
“Every year, it’s the same story,” said Shivam Ahuja, a resident of West Delhi. “Storms will happen, but we need a system that’s designed to withstand them—not collapse under them.”
As Delhi recovers from another night of weather-driven crisis, the urgent need for durable infrastructure, smarter city planning, and citizen awareness has never been more clear.
