Delhi-NCR hit by thunderstorm, heavy rainfall, causing traffic disruptions

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After several days of scorching weather, Delhi-NCR had a major thunderstorm, strong winds, and rain on Friday evening, causing traffic problems and flight diversions in the national capital.

Neighbouring areas such as Noida and Ghaziabad also experienced unexpected and violent dust storms.

According to authorities at Delhi Airport, 9 flights bound for the capital were diverted to Jaipur due to bad weather.

The traffic in Delhi and surrounding areas was disrupted as trees fell on the roadways due to heavy winds.

Several cars in Noida's Sector 58 were damaged when a building repair shuttering fell on them.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported winds surpassing 50 kmph in Delhi at 10 pm on Friday.

"Gusty Winds (at 2200 hrs IST of today) reported (kmph) over Delhi: Ujwa 77 kmph; Jafarpur 57 kmph; Lodhi road 61 kmph; Pragati Maidan 63 kmph; Pitampura 57 kmph; Narayana 50 kmph; Najafgarh 40 kmph," the IMD posted on X.

The IMD encouraged citizens to remain indoors, secure windows and doors, and avoid needless travel.

The IMD further said, "Residents are urged to stay indoors, secure their windows and doors and refrain from unnecessary travel."

Previously, the IMD predicted a cloudy sky with the risk of dust storms and thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds.

"Duststorm/ thunderstorm with rain (followed by rain) and gusty winds with speed of 50-70 Km/h would occur over and adjoining areas of entire Delhi and NCR (Loni Dehat, Hindon AF Station, Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Noida, Dadri, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad," IMD said.

The maximum temperature in Delhi reached 39 degrees Celsius on Friday, with relative humidity varying from 47 to 64 per cent throughout the day.

With ANI inputs