Delhi was pummeled by an unprecedented storm leaving four dead, hundreds of flights delayed, and exposing critical gaps in the city’s infrastructure.
At a Glance
- A severe storm with winds reaching 80 kmph caused widespread destruction across Delhi-NCR
- Four people from one family died when their house collapsed in Najafgarh during the storm
- Over 200 flights were delayed and more than 40 diverted due to the dangerous conditions
- The India Meteorological Department recorded this as the second-highest 24-hour rainfall in May since 1901
- An orange alert remains in place with more severe weather expected in coming days
Deadly Storm Claims Four Lives
A catastrophic early-morning storm swept through Delhi on Friday, bringing torrential rain and powerful winds that claimed four lives when a house collapsed in Kharkhari Nahar village in Najafgarh. Emergency responders rushed to the scene but could only recover the bodies of a woman and her three children from beneath the rubble. The tragedy has highlighted the deadly potential of these increasingly severe weather events in India’s capital region, with authorities scrambling to address safety concerns as more storms are forecast.
The Delhi government has responded by authorizing financial support for the bereaved family. “Delhi government has sanctioned Rs 25 Lakh as ex-gratia relief to Sh. Ajay, next of kin of four family members who lost their lives today in a tragic incident caused by heavy rain and storm in Village Kharkhari, Najafgarh,” stated Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who visited affected areas to coordinate relief efforts after the destructive storm caught many residents unprepared.
Historic Rainfall Paralyzes Transportation
The India Meteorological Department classified this deluge as the second-highest 24-hour rainfall recorded in May since record-keeping began in 1901. Safdarjung, Delhi’s primary weather station, measured 77 millimeters of precipitation in just six hours. The powerful weather system formed from an unusual convergence of moisture and winds from both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, creating ideal conditions for the severe storm that swept across northern India.
“Following the advisory issued by the India Meteorological Department this morning, we would like to confirm that the airport is operating as normal, despite some impact on flight operations due to adverse weather conditions. Our on-ground teams are diligently working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience. Passengers are requested to stay in touch with their respective airlines for the latest flight updates.” Delhi airport.
Despite the airport’s assurances, over 200 flights experienced significant delays and more than 40 were diverted as the storm made safe takeoffs and landings impossible. Major carriers including Air India and IndiGo issued passenger advisories, recommending travelers verify flight status before heading to the airport. Thunderstorms continued to threaten air traffic safety throughout the day, with aviation authorities working to clear the massive backlog of delayed flights.
Infrastructure Failures Exposed
The powerful storm exposed significant vulnerabilities in Delhi’s infrastructure and disaster preparedness. Wide-scale waterlogging paralyzed traffic at notorious trouble spots including Minto Road and ITO, where inadequate drainage systems quickly failed under the deluge. Elsewhere in the city, a 25-year-old man was electrocuted when he came in contact with a snapped overhead electrical wire in Green Park, while six others sustained injuries in various rain-related incidents, including a wall collapse in Paparawat village.
“We received a call regarding a house collapse in Kharkhari Nahar village in Najafgarh at 5:25 am. We deployed multiple teams on the spot and four people were rescued from the rubble” a Delhi Fire Services (DFS) official.
The IMD has issued a ‘red’ alert for Delhi, warning residents of potential rain or thunderstorms for the next six days. Authorities have advised people to remain indoors whenever possible and to seek shelter in sturdy structures, avoiding trees and electric poles during storms. The weather system that devastated Delhi-NCR has continued moving westward, now impacting western Uttar Pradesh, with severe weather warnings extended to Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Odisha.
