Sunday, May 25, 2025
A fierce pre-monsoon storm struck the Indian capital Delhi and the surrounding NCR early Sunday, drenching the region with up to eighty-one millimeters of rainfall. The intense downpour, accompanied by gusty winds and loud thunderstorms, wreaked havoc on air travel, leading to over one hundred flight delays and at least twenty-five diversions at Indira Gandhi International Airport. While the storm brought welcome relief from the scorching summer heat, it also triggered major disruptions, waterlogging, and widespread chaos across the city, exposing persistent infrastructure challenges.
Heavy Rain and Thunderstorm Strike Before Dawn
A powerful storm swept through the Indian capital Delhi and the wider National Capital Region (NCR) early Sunday, unleashing intense rainfall, booming thunderstorms, and gusty winds. The sudden weather shift broke the stifling heat but brought chaos to transportation networks and urban life across the region.
Indira Gandhi International Airport Faces Major Disruptions
The heavy downpour severely affected flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. More than one hundred flights were delayed, while at least twenty-five had to be diverted to alternate airports as weather conditions deteriorated rapidly. Passengers faced long wait times and cascading delays as air traffic control managed the sudden influx of affected flights.
Key Areas Record Significant Rainfall
According to the latest figures from the meteorological department, several regions in Delhi received substantial rain:
- Safdarjung: 81 millimeters
- Pusa: 71 millimeters
- Palam: 68 millimeters
- Mayur Vihar: 48 millimeters
In addition to these, multiple other neighborhoods reported rainfall levels between five to eight centimeters. The storm’s widespread nature ensured that nearly all districts within the NCR experienced the impact.
Waterlogging Creates Traffic Gridlock
As rain battered the city, many roads turned into temporary canals. Waterlogging was reported in several low-lying areas, choking key intersections and commuter routes. Traffic movement slowed to a crawl in places like Ring Road, Minto Bridge, and stretches of South and East Delhi. Motorists struggled to navigate submerged roads, and pedestrians waded through ankle-deep water to reach their destinations.
Commuters and Residents Bear the Brunt
While the rainfall offered momentary relief from the intense summer heat, the sudden storm caught many off guard. Early morning commuters, especially office-goers and airport-bound travelers, faced considerable inconvenience. Public transport services also experienced delays, with buses rerouting around flooded streets and trains running behind schedule in some corridors.
Urban Flooding Exposes Infrastructure Challenges
The intense storm once again spotlighted Delhi’s perennial struggle with drainage and monsoon preparedness. Despite repeated warnings and seasonal forecasts, civic authorities appeared underprepared for a weather event of this magnitude. Many residents criticized the lack of immediate response to clogged drains and stagnant water, reigniting calls for long-term solutions to the city’s drainage crisis.
A Welcome Relief from Heat, But At a Cost
Until Saturday, Delhi was reeling under oppressive heat conditions, with temperatures hovering above seasonal norms. Sunday’s storm brought a sharp dip in temperature, providing temporary comfort. However, the scale of disruption left many questioning whether relief from the heat was worth the cost in terms of logistical and infrastructural breakdown.
Authorities on High Alert for More Rain
With weather departments predicting more intermittent showers in the coming days, authorities have been placed on high alert. Emergency response teams, drainage maintenance crews, and disaster management units have been instructed to remain on standby, particularly in flood-prone areas.
A powerful storm drenched the Indian capital Delhi and NCR with up to eighty-one millimeters of rain, disrupting over one hundred flights and forcing twenty-five diversions, while exposing the city’s ongoing struggle with weather-related disruptions.
Conclusion
The fierce overnight thunderstorm that drenched Delhi and the NCR may have brought short-lived respite from the summer heat, but its impact was far-reaching. With eighty-one millimeters of rainfall recorded in the heart of the capital, the event caused widespread flight disruptions, waterlogging, and a renewed focus on Delhi’s preparedness for extreme weather. As monsoon approaches, Sunday’s storm serves as both a wake-up call and a preview of what lies ahead if infrastructure fails to catch up with climate volatility.
