New Delhi, Sep 4: Heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms lashed Delhi-NCR on Friday, causing waterlogging in several areas and disrupting flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, where nine flights were diverted within an hour amid adverse weather conditions.
Between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm, four flights were diverted to Jaipur, four to Lucknow and one to Ahmedabad, sources said.
Water accumulation was also reported on the approach road and forecourt areas of the airport following the intense spell of rain.
“Heavy rainfall on Friday led to water accumulation in the approach road and forecourt areas of the airport,” Delhi Airport said.
Airport authorities said the accumulated water was cleared shortly afterwards and efforts were being made to ensure that flight operations remained smooth.
The downpour also affected several parts of West Delhi, with waterlogging reported in areas including Gandhi Market in Sagarpur. Roads in several residential colonies were submerged, turning stretches into waterlogged routes.
However, there were no immediate reports of major waterlogging on key roads or significant traffic jams.
The Regional Meteorological Centre, New Delhi, recorded 72.2 mm of rainfall at Palam between 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm, the highest rainfall recorded in the capital during the period.
Narayana received 54 mm, followed by Janakpuri at 48.5 mm, Lodhi Road at 34.6 mm and Safdarjung at 32.6 mm. Pusa recorded 29 mm, Jharoda Kalan 25 mm, Ridge 20 mm, Chhatarpur 15 mm and Ayanagar 12 mm.
Adding to the weather disruption, a squall struck Palam Airport between 3:37 pm and 3:39 pm, with gusty winds reaching 76 kmph, according to the India Meteorological Department.
During the brief spell, humidity increased from 86 per cent to 90 per cent, while the temperature dropped from 26 degrees Celsius to 25.5 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has warned that the wet spell is likely to continue, forecasting another day of heavy rain over the Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi region on Saturday.
Delhi’s local forecast indicates moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning at different times during the day. West Uttar Pradesh, which includes several NCR areas, is also under a heavy-rain warning for September 4 and 5.
The current spell of intense rainfall has been linked to an active monsoon weather system over north-central India. According to the IMD, a well-marked low-pressure area over northeast Madhya Pradesh and adjoining areas is contributing to significant rainfall over parts of central India and influencing weather conditions over the region.
The weather department has cautioned that continued heavy showers could worsen waterlogging and lead to traffic disruptions in parts of Delhi-NCR.
The intensity of rainfall is expected to ease after Saturday. The IMD currently has no heavy-rain warning for Delhi from September 6, though light rain or drizzle may continue in some areas.
The latest spell comes after a generally cloudy start to the day in the national capital, with residents facing another round of unsettled monsoon weather as authorities remain on alert for further waterlogging and weather-related disruptions.
