On Saturday, Delhi experienced a sudden change in weather, offering relief from the scorching heat following heavy rainfall on Saturday evening. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms in various locations across Delhi NCR, Noida, Greater Noida, Gurugram, etc., within the next two hours.
Also, light rainfall and gusty winds were observed in several areas of Delhi, including RK Puram, India Gate, Pandit Pant Marg, and Munirka.
The weather agency posted on X saying, “Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain with heavy intensity rain over isolated places and gusty winds with speed of 30-50 Km/h would occur over and adjoining areas of entire Delhi and NCR during the next two hours,”
#WATCH | Delhi: Relief from heat as National Capital witnesses sudden weather change.
(Visuals from India Gate) pic.twitter.com/HyqknIsWvG
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2024
Rainpour Lead to 22 Flights Diversion in Delhi
Bad weather conditions led to the diversion of 22 flights as of now at the Delhi airport on Saturday evening, as informed by an official to PTI. Most diversions occurred after 5 pm. The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) manages around 1,300 flight movements daily. More flight delays are expected.
A spokesperson said that 9 flights of IndiGo, 8 flights of Air India, and 3 flights of Vistara were among those that were diverted. Of them, 9 flights were diverted to Jaipur, 8 to Lucknow, 2 to Chandigarh, and 1 each to Varanasi, Amritsar and Ahmedabad.
On Saturday, rainfall was observed not only in Delhi but also in neighbouring cities of Haryana, including Sonipat, Rohtak, Kharkhoda, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Mattanhail, Jhajjar, Farukhnagar, Kosali, Mahendargarh, Rewari, and Rajasthan’s Bhiwari.
Videos shared by news agencies PTI and ANI depicted several areas of the national capital experiencing gusty winds and dust storm-like conditions. The rainfall near India Gate and Kartavya Path on Saturday evening brought relief from the intense heat for Delhi residents, prompting many to visit places like India Gate over the weekend with friends and family.
IMD Predicts Rainfall on Saturday and Sunday
As per the weather bulletin released by the Regional Meteorological Department of New Delhi, the city is expected to experience cloudy weather with light rain and thundershowers on Sunday. The rainfall will be accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 35-45 kmph. On Monday, April 15, there is a likelihood of a generally cloudy sky with the possibility of very light drizzle and gusty winds with speeds of 30-40 kph. The sudden weather change may result in minor traffic disruptions, an increased risk of vehicle accidents, power outages, and partial damage to vulnerable structures due to strong winds.
The sudden weather change has provided much-needed relief from the ongoing heatwave conditions prevailing over the region in recent days. On Friday, Delhi registered a maximum temperature of 39.4 degrees Celsius, the highest since January. On April 11, the national capital recorded a maximum temperature of 39.1 degrees Celsius, the second-highest so far this season. According to IMD data, Delhi has experienced maximum temperatures near 40 degrees Celsius for the past four days. During mid-May and June, harsh summer days typically occur when temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius and may even reach 45 degrees Celsius.
IMD said the change was due to the influence of several weather systems, including an intense western disturbance lying as a cyclonic circulation over Iran and the neighbourhood.
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