Delhi storm disrupts air travel: 49 flights diverted, several delayed overnight | India News
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Delhi storm disrupts air travel: 49 flights diverted, several delayed overnight
Delhi storm disrupts air travel: 49 flights diverted, several delayed overnight. 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. IMD had earlier issued a red alert for Delhi and adjoining areas on Saturday, warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds.
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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.
Delhi in the midst of wettest May on record; overnight storm triggers power outages, waterlogging and flight disruptions
Heavy rain and strong winds lashed Delhi this weekend with several areas suffering power outages as trees were uprooted. The national capital has seen 186.4 mm of rain till May 25 — the wettest month of May since record-keeping began. Several areas were left waterlogged on Sunday as the city received more than 81 mm of rainfall overnight. The storm also disrupted flight operations for several hours with more than a dozen international flights being diverted. Temperatures across the city also plummeted by 8 to 10 degrees Celsius in under 90 minutes as the storm raged. The weather department had sounded a red alert for Delhi and nearby areas late last night, warning of strong thunderstorms, rain, and high-speed winds.
The India Meteorological Department said the city’s primary weather station recorded winds gusting up to 82 kmph and 81.2 mm of rain in six hours — between 11.30 pm and 5.30 am. Temperatures across the city also plummeted by 8 to 10 degrees Celsius in under 90 minutes as the storm raged. The weather department had sounded a red alert for Delhi and nearby areas late last night, warning of strong thunderstorms, rain, and high-speed winds over the next few hours.
According to reports, the rainfall levels reported so far in May 2025 is nearly nine times the monthly average of 21.9 mm. The previous record — 165 mm — was set in 2008.
Power supply disrupted
Power supply was disrupted in many parts of the national capital on Sunday with overnight rain and thunderstorms damaging electrical installations. A spokesperson for Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited told PTI that parts of Bawana, Ghogha village, Sector 25 Rohini, DSIIDC Narela, Sultanpuri, Sector 22 Rohini, Karala, Badli, Siraspur, Avantika, Mangolpuri, RU Block Pitampura and Rithala village were among the affected areas in north Delhi. Officials have indicated that restoration work was taken up on priority and power supply was also temporarily suspended in some areas as a safety measure.
Flight diversions at Delhi Airport
Dozens of flights were affected on Sunday as heavy rain and strong winds led to disruptions in Delhi. According to an update shared by the airport authorities, 49 flights, including 17 international flights, were diverted between 11:30 pm and 4:00 am. Normal services were restored later in the day as the weather improved.
“Due to adverse weather conditions last night, some flights have been impacted. Passengers are advised to check their flight status regularly and stay in touch with airline staff for updates. Our on-ground teams are diligently working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience,” said a Delhi Airport advisory at 6:50 am on Sunday.
Monsoon advances
According to the IMD bulletin released on Sunday afternoon, “heavy to very heavy rainfall” is likely to continue over Kerala, Karnataka, coastal Maharashtra and Goa over the next seven days. There is also a possibility of “extremely heavy rainfall” over coastal Kerala and the ghat areas of neighbouring Tamil Nadu between May 25 and 26. Similar weather conditions are likely to prevail over the ghat areas of Karnataka till May 27.
“Further advance of southwest monsoon over some more parts of Karnataka, entire Goa, some parts
of Maharashtra and some more parts of Mizoram, some parts of Manipur and Nagaland today. Conditions are favourable for further advance of monsoon into some more parts of Maharashtra, South India and Northeast states,” the weather department added.
Thunderstorms force flight diversions and delays at Delhi airport
Severe thunderstorms and heavy rains overnight in New Delhi disrupted air travel. At least 49 flights — including 17 international carriers — were diverted from Indira Gandhi International Airport. By mid-morning Sunday, 227 departures had been delayed, with an average wait time of 28 minutes, according to flight tracking service Flightradar24. Delhi Airport: “Due to adverse weather conditions last night, some flights have been impacted.” Air India: Weather-related disruptions extended beyond Delhi and were affecting operations across northern India.
Between 11.30 pm and 4 am, at least 49 flights — including 17 international carriers — were diverted from Indira Gandhi International Airport, according to airport officials.
By mid-morning Sunday, 227 departures had been delayed, with an average wait time of 28 minutes, according to the real-time flight tracking service Flightradar24.
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“Due to adverse weather conditions last night, some flights have been impacted,” Delhi Airport said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) at 6.50 am. “Our on-ground teams are diligently working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience.”
In anticipation of the storm, airport authorities had issued a weather alert at approximately 10.30 pm Saturday, warning travellers of potential disruptions and advising them to consider alternative modes of transport, including the Delhi Metro, to avoid traffic congestion caused by waterlogging.
Vehicles partially submerged following at the Delhi Cantt underpass. (Photo: PTI) Vehicles partially submerged following at the Delhi Cantt underpass. (Photo: PTI)
Airlines also posted alerts as they grappled with the operational fallout from the overnight storm. “Last night’s adverse weather in Delhi continues to affect operations due to airside congestion,” IndiGo, India’s largest airline, said on X at 8.08 am. “While conditions have improved, delays in departures, arrivals, and ground handling may persist.”
The carrier advised passengers to travel with added buffer time, warning that roads to the airport could be affected by flooding. “We sincerely appreciate your patience and continued support as we work diligently to get you safely to your destination,” IndiGo added.
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Air India said that weather-related disruptions extended beyond Delhi and were affecting operations across northern India. “Some flights to and from our Delhi hub had to be diverted,” the airline said. “This may result in a cascading effect on our flight schedules throughout the day. While we are making every effort to minimise the disruption, we request our guests to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.”
Severe Storm Batters Delhi-NCR: Waterlogging and Flight Delays Reported Across Region
More than 200 flights were affected due to a strong storm and heavy downpour at Indira Gandhi International Airport. India Meteorological Department said the city’s primary weather station recorded winds gusting up to 82 kmph and 81.2 mm of rain in six hours. 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. Delhi has already received 186.2mm of rainfall this month, making it the wettest May on record. The previous record stood at 165 mm in May 2008, according to India Meteorology Department (IMD) data. In the city, several stretches, including Moti Bagh, Minto Road, ITO, Dhaula Kuan, Delhi Cantonment and Chanakyapuri, were partially submerged.
Severe Storm Batters Delhi-NCR: Heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms lashed Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) early Sunday, bringing the city to a standstill. The downpour caused significant traffic disruptions, waterlogging, and flight delays. A police officer died after the roof of the Assistant Commissioner’s office collapsed during the torrential rain.
More than 200 flights were affected due to a strong storm and heavy downpour at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Around 49 flights were diverted between 11:30 pm on Saturday to 4:00 am on Sunday, the airport authority said on Sunday.
The India Meteorological Department said the city’s primary weather station recorded winds gusting up to 82 kmph and 81.2 mm of rain in six hours — between Saturday 11.30 pm and 5.30 am on Sunday.
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In a post on X at 3:59 am, IndiGo said adverse weather conditions in Delhi led to temporary disruptions in flight operations.
“While the weather is gradually easing, some airside congestion remains. We assure you that flight movements are steadily resuming as conditions permit,” the airline said.
At 5:54 am it said in an X post that flight operations are back to normal with clearer skies over Delhi.
Meanwhile, on the ground, visuals from several parts of Delhi painted a grim picture. A car was seen almost fully submerged at Minto Road — a chronic flooding hotspot. Similar scenes played out in Moti Bagh and near Terminal 1 of the Delhi airport, where ankle to knee-deep water disrupted traffic and left commuters stranded.
With this latest spell of rain — 81.2 mm recorded till 5:30 am — Delhi has already received 186.2 mm of rainfall this month, making it the wettest May on record. The previous record stood at 165 mm in May 2008, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data.
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The IMD had issued a red alert for the region on Saturday night, forecasting light to moderate rain accompanied by a severe thunderstorm, lightning, hail, and squally winds of 60–100 km/h. The alert was issued at 10:30 pm, warning of impacts over the next two hours. At 9:30 pm, an orange alert had been issued, with winds forecast to reach up to 70 km/h for a brief period.
Waterlogging was also reported at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Flight tracking website Flightradar24.com showed that around 180 flights have been delayed and some cancelled at the airport.
In the city, several stretches, including Moti Bagh, Minto Road, ITO, Dhaula Kuan, Delhi Cantonment, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg and Chanakyapuri, were partially submerged.
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.
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Delhi Storm Latest: 49 Flights Diverted, 200 Delayed: Deets Inside
Late-night storm causes significant flight disruptions at Delhi airport; normal operations resume by early morning. 49 flights—including 17 international ones—had to be diverted to alternative airports. Around 200 flights were also delayed, with average wait times of 45 minutes, according to data from FlightRadar24. The storm caused heavy waterlogging, uprooted trees, and power outages in multiple parts of the capital, including Minto Road, Delhi Cantonment, and Dhaula Kuan. The IMD had earlier issued a red alert for Delhi and surrounding areas, warning of intense thunderstorms and strong winds.
May 25, 2025: A fierce thunderstorm that swept across Delhi late Saturday night led to widespread travel disruptions at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Between 11:30 PM and 4:00 AM, 49 flights—including 17 international ones—had to be diverted to alternative airports. Around 200 flights were also delayed, with average wait times of 45 minutes, according to data from FlightRadar24.
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Also Read: Weather Alert Latest! IMD Issues Red Alert for Kerala and Maharashtra, Light Rain in Delhi
Weather Chaos Grounds Flights
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported wind gusts reaching up to 82 kmph and 81.2 mm of rainfall recorded in the six-hour window, as the city battled heavy rain and lightning.
The sudden storm led to airside congestion, preventing planes from landing or taking off safely. As a result, flight operations slowed down significantly during the night.
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Airlines, Airport Issue Updates
IndiGo Airlines, one of the busiest carriers at the airport, posted updates on X (formerly Twitter). At 3:59 AM, the airline said, “While the weather is gradually easing, some airside congestion remains. We assure you that flight movements are steadily resuming as conditions permit.” By 5:54 AM, they confirmed that operations had returned to normal.
Delhi Airport also released an advisory at 6:50 AM, urging passengers to check flight statuses regularly and stay connected with airline staff for the latest updates. “Our on-ground teams are diligently working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience,” it stated.
Also Read: After the Rains- Delhi Faces Severe Waterlogging, Flights at IGI Airport Disrupted
Impact on the City
The IMD had earlier issued a red alert for Delhi and surrounding areas, warning of intense thunderstorms and strong winds. The storm caused heavy waterlogging, uprooted trees, and power outages in multiple parts of the capital, including Minto Road, Delhi Cantonment, and Dhaula Kuan.
Video footage from near Terminal 1 showed vehicles wading through flooded roads, underscoring the impact of the sudden downpour on the city’s transport infrastructure.
As of early Sunday morning, the skies had cleared, and flight operations had resumed at full capacity, ensuring that passengers could continue their journeys with minimal further delays.
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Delhi weather update, Delhi storm news, Delhi flight delays, Delhi airport flight status, IMD red alert Delhi, severe thunderstorm Delhi, IGI airport flight disruptions, flight operations Delhi May 2025
Delhi rains lead to widespread waterlogging and traffic snarl, disrupt flight operations
Delhi rains lead to widespread waterlogging and traffic snarl, disrupt flight operations. Key stretches including Moti Bagh, Minto Road, ITO, Dhaula Kuan, Delhi Cantonment, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, and Chanakyapuri were submerged. Winds at Safdarjung gusted up to 82 km/h, and the station recorded 81.2 mm of rain in just six hours between 11:30 pm and 5:30 am. The sudden change in weather brought a significant drop in temperature, with the minimum falling to 19.8 degrees Celsius, nearly 7 degrees below the seasonal average. Around 180 flights were delayed and several were cancelled due to the storm.
New Delhi:
A powerful thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rain swept across Delhi overnight, bringing much-needed relief from the oppressive heat but also causing widespread disruption. The storm uprooted trees and electric poles, led to severe waterlogging in several areas, and disrupted flight operations.
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The sudden change in weather brought a significant drop in temperature, with the minimum falling to 19.8 degrees Celsius, nearly 7 degrees below the seasonal average. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), winds at Safdarjung gusted up to 82 km/h, and the station recorded 81.2 mm of rain in just six hours between 11:30 pm and 5:30 am.
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Other rainfall figures from the city include 68.1 mm at Palam, 71 mm at Pusa, 48 mm in Mayur Vihar, 30 mm in Narela, and 29 mm at Delhi University.
Flight operations disrupted
Sources confirmed that 49 flights, including 17 international ones, were diverted at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport due to the bad weather. Waterlogging was also reported at Terminal 3, further adding to the chaos.
Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 showed that around 180 flights were delayed and several were cancelled due to the storm.
Waterlogging, traffic snarls across city
Several parts of the city witnessed severe waterlogging, leading to major traffic snarls during the early hours. Key stretches including Moti Bagh, Minto Road, ITO, Dhaula Kuan, Delhi Cantonment, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, and Chanakyapuri were submerged.
A car and a bus were seen almost entirely underwater at an underpass in Delhi Cantonment. Videos from Minto Road also showed similar scenes, with submerged vehicles and flooded streets.
The Delhi Public Works Department received nearly 40 complaints of waterlogging following heavy overnight rainfall, officials said on Sunday. Most of the affected areas were cleared by early morning, they added.
Strong winds and forecast
The IMD had issued a red alert on Saturday night, warning of an incoming thunderstorm from the west and northwest. Strong winds were recorded across the capital, including 72 km/h in Palam, 76 km/h in Pragati Maidan, 61 km/h in Jafarpur, and 50 km/h at IGNOU.
The storm also caused a sharp temperature drop between 1:15 am and 2:30 am. At Safdarjung, the temperature dropped from 31°C to 21°C. Similar declines were seen in other parts of the city: Palam (29°C to 22°C), Pusa (31.8°C to 20.5°C), Pragati Maidan (31.4°C to 21.3°C), and Lodhi Road (31°C to 22.3°C).
For Sunday, the IMD has forecast thunderstorms with rain. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 38°C.