15 Flights Diverted from Delhi Airport Due to Heavy Rain and Thunderstorm

On April 25, 2024, heavy rain and thunderstorms in Delhi led to the rerouting of 15 flights from the Indira Gandhi International Airport. According to airport sources, nine flights were diverted to Jaipur, two each to Amritsar and Lucknow, and one each to Mumbai and Chandigarh.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier predicted light to moderate intensity rain in the Delhi-NCR region and absence of heat wave conditions for the next seven days. The national capital experienced a sudden change in weather on Tuesday evening, with gusty winds and light rains providing some relief to commuters facing scorching heat.

The adverse weather conditions caused substantial air traffic disruptions at the Delhi airport. In addition to the flight diversions, several other flights were also delayed, including an IndiGo flight that was scheduled to depart for Chennai.

The thunderstorm in Delhi also led to a wall collapse in South Delhi's Khirki Extension area, harming eight people, including six minors. The strong gusty winds and rain likely contributed to the structural failure, highlighting the impact of sudden weather changes on infrastructure and public safety.

Why this matters: The flight diversions and wall collapse incident in Delhi underscore the extensive consequences of severe weather events on transportation, infrastructure, and public safety. The situation emphasizes the importance of accurate weather forecasting, timely advisories, and preparedness measures to mitigate the impact of such incidents on daily life and prevent potential injuries or loss of life.

The IMD senior scientist Dr. Naresh Kumar stated that the temperature in Eastern India could reach 44 degrees Celsius in the next 4-5 days, while in Northwest India, it is not expected to be near 40 or more than 41 degrees Celsius. Despite the recent showers, Delhi continues to face a substantial rainfall deficit this month, with only 12.7 mm of precipitation recorded between April 1 and 23, compared to the average of 25.9 mm. The IMD predicts further rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds to impact isolated parts of Delhi, along with Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, from Friday to Monday (April 26-29).

Key Takeaways

• 15 flights diverted from Delhi airport due to heavy rain and thunderstorms.
• Wall collapse in Delhi injured 8 people, including 6 minors, due to strong winds.
• Delhi faces rainfall deficit despite recent showers, with more storms predicted.
• Heatwave to continue in East India, with temperatures up to 44°C expected.
• Severe weather events disrupt transportation, infrastructure, and public safety.