Flight delays at Delhi airport as heavy rain pounds Delhi-NCR; airlines issue advisories to passengers
PTC Web Desk: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for various parts of Delhi, warning of moderate rainfall and thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds. The alert covers most regions of the national capital for the next few hours, advising residents to be cautious and prepare for possible weather disruptions, including waterlogging and traffic delays.
Rain swept across different parts of Delhi on Friday afternoon, with more showers expected as overcast skies dominate. Central and southern parts of the city experienced significant rainfall, and the IMD forecasts that light to moderate rain will continue in most areas in the coming hours. The heavy rains that lashed the city on Thursday night have already led to waterlogging and traffic jams in several parts of Delhi.
Due to the heavy rainfall, air travel has also been affected. Both arrivals and departures at Indira Gandhi International Airport are experiencing delays, although no flight cancellations have been reported yet. Several airlines have issued advisories to passengers, urging them to check for updates before heading to the airport.
The rainfall has caused severe traffic disruptions across the city, with many roads submerged. The Delhi Traffic Police took to social media to update commuters, advising them to avoid waterlogged areas and seek alternate routes. Some of the major roads, including NH-48, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg, Outer Ring Road, and Rohtak Road, witnessed heavy traffic jams due to waterlogging.
As the rain continued, the minimum temperature in the city dropped to 21.4°C, which is four degrees below the normal seasonal average. Safdarjung, the main weather station in Delhi, recorded 29.6 mm of rainfall. Other parts of the city, including the Ridge, Delhi University, and Lodhi Road, also recorded significant rain.
The IMD has predicted that the weather in Delhi will remain cloudy throughout the day, with light to moderate rain continuing. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 30°C.
In addition to Delhi’s orange alert, the IMD has also issued warnings for very heavy rainfall in several other states, including Uttarakhand, West Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Mizoram, and Tripura. These states are expected to experience severe weather on September 13, with the possibility of flash floods in some areas.
In Uttarakhand, the IMD has highlighted a moderate to high risk of flash floods in several districts, including Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar, and Uttarkashi. These areas are particularly vulnerable due to the heavy rainfall forecast and the terrain's susceptibility to flooding.
Neighbouring Himachal Pradesh is also facing flash flood risks, especially in Shimla and Sirmaur districts. The hilly topography and expected downpours in these regions increase the likelihood of landslides and other weather-related hazards.
In West Bengal, several districts are under low to moderate flash flood risk. The areas at risk include South and North 24 Parganas, East and West Medinipur, Haora, Hugli, Nadia, and Bankura. These regions have already been experiencing heavy rains, and the weather department has warned residents to remain alert to potential flooding.
Similarly, the northeastern states of Mizoram and Tripura are also bracing for heavy rainfall and the risk of flash floods. In Mizoram, districts such as Saiha, Lunglei, Serchhip, Champhai, Aizawl, Mamit, and Lawngtlai are on alert. In Tripura, the authorities are closely monitoring the situation, especially in areas vulnerable to flooding.
The IMD has further warned of rough sea conditions in the northern Bay of Bengal from September 13 to 15, advising fishermen to avoid venturing into these waters during this period.
- With inputs from agencies
