Delhi Under Siege: Thunderstorm Unleashes Travel Mayhem, Grounding Flights and Stalling Metro Services

A sudden and intense thunderstorm swept through Delhi and its National Capital Region (NCR) on a Tuesday evening, unleashing a torrent of rain, powerful gusty winds, and hail that brought the bustling metropolis to a grinding halt. The severe weather conditions triggered widespread chaos, significantly impacting air travel, public transport, and daily life across the region.

The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) became a focal point of the disruption as numerous flights faced delays and diversions.

SpiceJet, one of the major carriers, bore the brunt of the weather's fury. A staggering eleven SpiceJet flights bound for Delhi were forced to divert to Jaipur due to the perilous landing conditions. Adding to the passenger woes, two SpiceJet flights were outright cancelled – one originating from Mumbai and another from Srinagar – leaving hundreds stranded and travel plans in disarray.

Passengers were urged to check their flight status before heading to the airport as ground operations struggled amidst the downpour and high winds.

The ground transport system was equally hit. Delhi Metro services, the city's lifeline, experienced significant disruptions on a crucial stretch of the Yellow Line.

Services between Sikanderpur and Millennium City Centre Gurugram came to a standstill after overhead equipment (OHE) was damaged near Sultanpur, likely due to the extreme weather. Commuters faced long delays and overcrowded stations as engineers worked frantically to restore normal operations, highlighting the vulnerability of the infrastructure to such severe climatic events.

Beyond the major transport hubs, the storm's impact was felt acutely across the city.

Many areas reported sudden and prolonged power outages as strong winds snapped power lines and damaged electrical infrastructure. Uprooted trees became a common sight, blocking roads and exacerbating traffic congestion, turning routine commutes into arduous journeys. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had previously issued an "orange alert" for Delhi, warning of dust storms and thunderstorms accompanied by rain and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-70 kmph, which proved to be an accurate precursor to the day's events.

The unprecedented weather event served as a stark reminder of nature's power, leaving a trail of disrupted travel plans, delayed schedules, and a city momentarily subdued by the force of the storm.

Authorities are working tirelessly to restore normalcy, but the evening's events have certainly left an indelible mark on the city's infrastructure and its inhabitants' daily routines.