After several days of scorching heat, Delhi and surrounding regions woke up to heavy rains and thunder on Monday, 23 May, resulting in eight people getting injured as houses collapsed in different parts of the national capital.
The thunderstorm led to a drastic fall in surface temperature. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), between 5.40 am and 7 am, the temperature fell by 11 degrees Celsius, from 29 degrees Celsius to 18 degrees Celsius.
As per the police, 62 PCR (police control room) calls related to uprooted trees were received following the storm. Meanwhile, eight vehicles parked on the roadside were damaged after the trees were uprooted during the storm.
Delhi officials confirmed that houses collapsed in Jawalpuri, Gokalpuri, Shankar road, and Moti Nagar areas of the city.
Not just buildings, visuals emerged of trees uprooted in places like Lodhi Gardens. This also led to traffic jams in various areas of the city including ITO, DND and near AIIMS.
The downpour led to waterlogging and power outage in several areas. Flight operations at the Delhi airport were also affected due to the weather.
"Thundershower with moderate intensity rain and gusty winds with speed of 60-90 Km/h would continue to occur over and adjoining areas of entire Delhi and NCR during next 2 hours," the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a forecast posted at 6.34 am.
Several parts of Gurugram also faced waterlogging following the rainfall.
While the showers have brought some respite from the sweltering temperatures of the past few days, the IMD has also cautioned about the adverse impact of the thunderstorm.
Damage to vulnerable structures, damage to kutcha houses/walls and huts, traffic disruption on roads, occasional reduction in visibility, damage to plantations, horticulture, and standing crops, and flight of loose objects are listed as the likely consequences of the storm.
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The view from The Quint's office on Monday morning.
(Photo: The Quint/ Eshwar)
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(Photo: PTI)
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(Photo: The Quint/ Arpita Ghosh)
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(Photo: PTI)
Stay Indoors, Keep Away From Trees & Conductors: IMD
The government's weather body has suggested that the following precautions be taken by the residents of the rain-affected region:
"1. Stay indoors, close windows & doors and avoid travel if possible.
2. Take safe shelters; do not take shelter under trees.
3. Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.
4. Unplug electrical/ electronic appliances.
5. Immediately get out of water bodies.
6. Keep away from all the objects that conduct electricity.
7. Follow any traffic advisories that are issued in this regard."
The Gurugram Traffic Police has also recommended that residents may consider working from home amid the prevailing weather conditions.
Delhi Airport Ops Affected
Hundreds of passengers have been stranded, with all early morning flights departing from Delhi being rescheduled owing to the weather, news agency ANI reported, quoting Delhi Airport sources.
Over 40 departure flights and around 18 arrival flights to Delhi have been delayed due to bad weather and other related issues. Two flights have also been cancelled.
"Due to bad weather, flight operations at Delhi Airport are affected. Passengers are requested to get in touch with the airline concerned for updated flight information. #BadWeather #Rain," the Delhi Airport tweeted on Monday morning.
Vistara, SpiceJet, and some other airlines also alerted their passengers about their operations in Delhi being affected due to the storm.
Haryana, UP, Rajasthan To See Thunder, Dust Storms
Dust storms and thunderstorms are also expected to continue over various parts of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Gusty winds with the speed of 50-70 km/h are likely to occur over parts of these states.
Sonipat, Shamli, Rewari, Alwar, Bharatpur, Bareilly, Agra, and Mathura are among the places that are likely to be affected.
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