Squally weather keeps Delhi on its toes, flight ops affected

The month has changed, but Delhi's appetite for unpredictable weather continued, as strong and intense thunderstorms—accompanied by widespread light to moderate rainfall—blew through the city on Sunday evening.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

NEW DELHI: The month has changed, but Delhi's appetite for unpredictable weather continued, as strong and intense thunderstorms—accompanied by widespread light to moderate rainfall—blew through the city on Sunday evening. Trees were uprooted, power supply disrupted and flight operations impacted as squally winds touched a speed of 96km/hr in some instances.

At least 14 flights were diverted and over 350 were delayed due to adverse weather conditions between 4.30pm and 6.10pm on the day, according to airport officials.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Monday and Tuesday, forecasting similar weather, with chances of light rain, thunderstorms and winds possibly touching 60km/hr.

"Wind speed touched 96km/hr at Palam at around 4.30pm, followed by 81 km/hr at Pragati Maidan at 5.15pm. At Safdarjung, it touched 80 km/hr, also around 5.15 pm," IMD scientist Krishna Mishra said.

He said the storm was of moderate intensity in southwest and north Delhi, but intensified as it moved towards central and east Delhi. "Rohtak and Jind had not reported speeds of more than 40km/hr and it was 39km/hr at Najafgarh."