A powerful spell of rain accompanied by strong winds swept through Delhi and its adjoining regions on Friday morning, throwing daily life off track, uprooting trees, submerging roads, and affecting over a hundred flight operations. Amid the weather chaos, tragedy struck in Dwarka where a woman and her three children lost their lives when a tree collapsed onto a tubewell room in Kharkhari Canal village.
The victims were identified as 26-year-old Jyoti and her three children. Her husband, Ajay, survived with minor injuries. “The tree fell on the structure due to strong winds early this morning,” reported ANI.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounded a red alert for the Delhi-NCR region, warning of continued thunderstorms and heavy rainfall over the next two hours, News18 reported.
The torrential downpour also wreaked havoc on air travel. Delhi Airport issued an advisory stating, “Due to inclement weather conditions and thunderstorms in Delhi, some flights have been impacted at Delhi Airport. Our on-ground teams are diligently working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information.” According to reports, over 100 flights were delayed.
Several key areas including RK Puram, Dwarka, Khanpur, and South Extension Ring Road experienced severe waterlogging, causing major traffic snarls and long delays for commuters. Visuals from RK Puram’s Major Somnath Marg showed large trees uprooted and blocking the roads, further complicating the traffic situation.
At DDU Marg, a commuter named Mukesh shared his ordeal with ANI, saying, “I am heading to my office in Laxmi Nagar. The rain has brought such relief from the heat. But now I am late for work. I have been stuck here since 5 am... There was a traffic snarl as well as an accident here just now. There is no waterlogging here but at the Connaught Place flyover...”
Another commuter, Somvir, who was traveling near Minto Bridge, told ANI, “This rainfall will bring respite from the heat. It is a bit cold now... There is waterlogging at the underpass. Bikes and autos are breaking down there. We have returned from there.”
