Severe weather disrupted flight operations at Delhi’s airport on Thursday, causing significant delays and diversions as the capital experienced a sudden shift in weather conditions. According to reports, 13 incoming flights had to circle in the air before attempting to land. Of these, 11 were diverted to nearby airports because of adverse weather, while two later managed to land safely in New Delhi.
The disturbance came as Delhi received rainfall that offered some relief from the city’s hot and humid conditions. The change in weather was accompanied by cloudy skies and unstable atmospheric conditions, affecting visibility and aviation operations at one of the country’s busiest airports.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for Friday, warning of light rain along with thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds. Wind speeds are expected to range between 40 and 50 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 60 kmph. The weather agency has also indicated that similar conditions may continue on Saturday, although no formal alert has been issued for that day yet.
Temperatures in Delhi are expected to remain high despite the rain. The IMD forecast puts the maximum temperature between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius over the next few days, while the minimum temperature is likely to stay between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius. This suggests that while the rainfall may bring temporary relief, warm weather conditions are still likely to persist across the city.
In addition to the weather warning, the Air Quality Early Warning System has projected that Delhi’s air quality will stay in the “moderate” category in the coming days. This indicates that pollution levels are not expected to worsen significantly in the immediate term, though the city’s air remains far from clean.
The sudden weather change affected not only air travel but also daily life in the capital, as residents experienced rain after a period of warm and humid conditions. Such weather disruptions are common during seasonal transitions in Delhi, when thunderstorms and strong winds can develop rapidly and impact flight schedules, road movement and outdoor activity.
Airport authorities and airlines were forced to manage the situation carefully as incoming aircraft were redirected or asked to hold until conditions improved. The safe landing of the two flights later in the day helped ease some of the disruption, but the episode highlighted how quickly severe weather can affect aviation operations in the region.
With more rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds expected, Delhi is likely to continue seeing unsettled weather over the next couple of days. While the rainfall may provide short-term relief from heat, residents and travelers have been advised to remain alert to further weather-related disruptions.
