Delhi and the adjoining NCR region were swept by a powerful rainstorm, bringing momentary respite from the searing summer but paralysing the city’s transport infrastructure and highlighting long-standing urban vulnerabilities.
The weather disturbance, driven by a cyclonic system over neighbouring Haryana, unleashed wind speeds of up to 79 kmph, accompanied by a barrage of rain and hail that disrupted flight operations, Metro services, and road traffic across the capital. The downpour began shortly after sunset, submerging key roads in water and causing tree collapses across areas such as Akshardham Road, Vikas Marg, and Firoz Shah Road. In central Delhi’s Gol Market and Lodi Road, a sudden hailstorm created a surreal atmosphere, transforming the evening commute into a chaotic and hazardous journey. Residents navigating the storm reported disoriented traffic, fallen signage, and dangerous wind gusts that ripped through several localities.
At Indira Gandhi International Airport, visuals captured steady rain pounding Terminal 3, while airlines scrambled to issue updates. Between 7.45 p.m. and 8.45 p.m. alone, at least 10 flights were diverted and more than 50 delayed. Airlines advised passengers to check real-time updates, citing visibility issues and wind shear—a sharp shift in wind speed or direction that makes landing and take-off perilous. The storm also triggered an emergency landing at Srinagar Airport after an aircraft en route from Delhi encountered severe mid-air turbulence caused by a hailstorm. While no injuries were reported, the aircraft sustained damage and was declared out of service. In Noida and parts of South Delhi, power supply disruptions were widespread. The dense urban layout, already stressed by summer demand, faltered further under storm-induced failures. Uprooted trees and power lines complicated road navigation as emergency response teams worked through the night to clear debris and restore services. Despite warnings by the India Meteorological Department earlier in the day, the scale and intensity of the weather event caught many unprepared. The IMD had forecast wind speeds of up to 70 kmph and issued a red alert for Delhi-NCR shortly after 8.30 p.m., urging residents to remain indoors.
This storm underscores how urban resilience in cities like Delhi remains a work in progress. While the cooling rain provided a much-needed break from a day that saw “feels like” temperatures cross 50°C, it also exposed how severely underprepared metropolitan systems remain for unpredictable weather intensified by climate change. More importantly, such episodes reflect the widening gap between urban growth and sustainable city planning. From inefficient drainage to weak green cover and outdated energy grids, the city’s inability to adapt rapidly to changing weather patterns calls for urgent structural interventions.
As Delhi heads into peak pre-monsoon activity, weather volatility is likely to continue. Authorities are now tasked with not only mitigating immediate damage but also future-proofing the city. Prioritising eco-friendly urban planning, reinforcing emergency protocols, and modernising infrastructure must be central to the capital’s adaptation strategy. For now, the rains have offered temporary solace from heatwaves, but at a high cost—one that highlights the pressing need for resilient, inclusive and climate-conscious urban policies.
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