Heavy Rainfall And Storms Disrupt Life Across Delhi-NCR

Delhi-NCR was battered overnight by intense rainfall, thunderstorms, and high winds, resulting in waterlogged streets, fallen trees, disrupted air traffic, and severe traffic congestion across the region.

Several key locations in the capital—such as Minto Road, the Delhi Airport vicinity, and Moti Bagh—experienced extensive waterlogging and tree falls.

Commuters faced major challenges as roads became impassable, particularly during the early morning rush hour.

The combination of flooding and debris led to significant delays and discomfort for residents attempting to reach their destinations.

Red Alert Issued Ahead Of Storm

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for Delhi and nearby regions on Saturday, warning of intense rainfall, thunderstorms, and wind speeds between 40 and 60 km/h.

The alert, based on the department’s Nowcast system, prompted officials to advise the public to stay indoors, avoid open areas and weak structures, and steer clear of water bodies and trees during the storm.

Flight Operations Temporarily Disrupted

At Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), flight operations were briefly suspended due to adverse weather. IndiGo Airlines reported at 3:59 AM on social media platform X that poor conditions had disrupted services. Operations resumed around 6 AM

Also Read: Narottam Mishra Hails PM Modi’s Role In Transforming Datia With New Airport

Delhi Airport authorities later confirmed that several flights had been affected.

“Passengers are advised to check their flight status regularly and stay in contact with airline representatives,” the airport stated. “Our on-ground teams are working closely with all stakeholders to ensure smooth passenger handling amid weather-related challenges.”

Ghaziabad Sees Relief And Chaos In Equal Measure

In neighbouring Ghaziabad, the overnight downpour and storm brought welcome relief from the heat, but also left widespread waterlogging in areas such as Indirapuram and Swarn Jayanti Park. Local roads near the park were submerged, complicating early morning travel for residents.

The storm also caused power disruptions in various parts of Delhi-NCR.

Several localities experienced outages due to adding to the public inconvenience caused by the severe weather.

Early Monsoon Arrival Linked To Weather Activity

This weather disturbance follows the early onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala, which officially began on 23 May—nearly a week ahead of the usual 1 June timeline.

This marks the earliest monsoon onset since 2009.

Typically, the monsoon progresses across the country by 8 July and begins to retreat from northwest India around 17 September. With an early arrival this year, weather patterns across northern India may experience further fluctuations in the weeks ahead.