Heavy rain was pouring down on Delhi-NCR on Thursday, and relief was much needed for residents after days of intense heatwave conditions. The sudden change in weather caused temperatures in Delhi and the surrounding areas to drop quickly, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert warning of more rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds.
Some areas of Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad were hit with moderate to heavy showers accompanied by lightning and strong winds in the early morning and afternoon hours. Waterlogging was reported in the low-lying places, leading to traffic congestion and slow vehicle movements on major roads.
The rain provided relief from days of gruelling heat in Delhi-NCR, where the temperature soared as high as 45 degrees Celsius in some localities earlier this week. But the weather was cool, and the residents welcomed the cooler weather, and civic authorities were on guard for more heavy rains.
The bad weather also disrupted flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Some flights were delayed due to poor visibility and weather changes, and passengers were advised to check flight schedules before arriving at the airport.
The IMD says thunderstorm activity will continue in parts of Delhi-NCR for the next few hours, and wind speeds of 50-60 kmph are expected in some areas. The weather department said people should stay indoors during lightning activity and avoid waterlogged roads.
Civic agencies are also putting teams on site to monitor vulnerable areas and to quickly clear up the flood-prone areas for drainage. Emergency response units are also on standby for more rain over the next 24 hours.
The rain is expected to keep temperatures below normal for the next couple of days, offering a brief respite from the extreme summer heat in the region.
