Severe Thunderstorm Unleashes Havoc on Delhi
Delhi experienced a bout of intense and unseasonal weather in the early hours of Friday as a powerful thunderstorm swept through the national capital. The sudden and severe conditions resulted in widespread disruption, claiming lives and causing significant logistical challenges across the city.
Tragic Fatalities Amidst Dwarka Tree Collapse
The most devastating impact of the storm was the tragic loss of life in the Kharkhari village of Dwarka. According to police reports, a large tree succumbed to the strong winds and heavy rain, falling onto a tubewell room in a farm. This unfortunate incident resulted in the immediate death of four people, while one other individual sustained injuries.
Air Travel Severely Affected at Delhi Airport
The intense weather conditions also wreaked havoc on air travel in and out of Delhi. Officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport reported substantial disruptions to flight operations during the early morning hours. The turbulent weather forced the diversion of at least three incoming flights, and a significant backlog of over 100 flights faced considerable delays in their schedules.
Sudden Weather Shift and Intense Rainfall
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had initially anticipated adverse weather, issuing a yellow alert for Friday. However, the situation rapidly deteriorated, prompting an upgrade to a red alert around 5:30 am. This highest level of alert warned residents of a severe thunderstorm accompanied by moderate to heavy rainfall and dangerously high wind speeds, predicted to range between 70 and 80 kilometers per hour. The data from IMD revealed that Safdarjung, the city’s primary weather station, recorded a staggering 77mm of rainfall within a mere six-hour window.
Widespread Waterlogging and Swift Response
The heavy and concentrated rainfall led to extensive waterlogging across numerous areas of Delhi, causing significant traffic snarls and commuting difficulties for residents. Notably, the frequently problematic Minto bridge once again became inundated. However, authorities reported a quick response to the situation at Minto bridge, stating that the waterlogging was cleared within approximately an hour due to the functioning of water pumps. The Public Works Department (PWD) minister acknowledged the unprecedented rainfall and assured that efforts were underway to manage the waterlogging issues across the city.