Summary: Delhi experienced a powerful thunderstorm with winds reaching 84 kmph, causing widespread disruption in the city. Flights were diverted, trees uprooted, power lines cut, and traffic jammed. The storm brought a sharp drop in temperature, providing relief from the scorching heat.
Delhi Weather Cools Down After Thunderstorm
The bustling city of Delhi was rocked by a fierce thunderstorm on Friday, with winds gusting up to 84 kmph, leaving a trail of chaos and relief in its wake. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a continuation of cooler weather on Saturday, offering respite from the sweltering heat that had enveloped the city.
Flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport came to a sudden halt as the storm swept through, diverting 35 incoming flights and causing delays to over 100 others. The air traffic control was forced to suspend operations for nearly half an hour, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated.
City Streets in Disarray
The impact of the thunderstorm was not limited to the skies, as the streets of Delhi bore the brunt of nature’s fury. Uprooted trees littered busy roads like Mathura Road, Lodhi Road, Janakpuri, Okhla, Najafgarh, and Dwarka, creating a nightmare for commuters. Vehicles were damaged, with reports emerging of a van being crushed by a fallen tree in Janakpuri.
Residents across the city reported chaos and destruction, with complaints pouring in to the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) about fallen trees in areas such as Jor Bagh, Hanuman Road, Mohan Singh Place, and Shahdara. The sheer force of the storm was evident in the extensive damage it caused across the capital.
Weather Science Unveiled
IMD scientists shed light on the meteorological phenomenon behind the thunderstorm, attributing it to a western disturbance that collided dry mid-level winds with moist lower-level winds from the Arabian Sea. This collision of contrasting air masses created the perfect conditions for the formation of the intense storm that swept through Delhi.
The repercussions of the storm extended beyond just disrupted flights and traffic jams. Power supply in several areas took a hit as tree branches damaged power lines, plunging neighborhoods into darkness. Despite prompt deployment of teams by BSES and Tata Power-DDL, some areas like Narela, Bawana, Badli, and Mangolpuri experienced delays in electricity restoration due to safety concerns.
In a stroke of luck amid the chaos, a gantry on the Dwarka Expressway in Gurgaon collapsed during the storm, landing on a moving car. Miraculously, no serious injuries were reported, and the structure was swiftly removed to resume traffic flow. The incident served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and powerful nature of thunderstorms.
As the sun set on Delhi after the tumultuous thunderstorm, the city breathed a collective sigh of relief at the much-needed drop in temperature. Safdarjung saw the mercury levels plummet from 39.6°C to 35.8°C, while Lodhi Road experienced a rapid decline from 31°C to 24°C within half an hour post 6.15pm. The residents of Delhi could finally step out into the cool evening air, grateful for the respite from the oppressive heat.
In conclusion, the thunderstorm that swept through Delhi brought with it a mix of chaos and relief, leaving a lasting impact on the city and its residents. The forces of nature reminded everyone of their awe-inspiring power, prompting a moment of reflection on the fragility and resilience of human existence.
