Yellow alert in Delhi as rain, thunderstorm lead to diversion of 10 flights, IMD predicts more downpour

Delhiites woke up to a breezy and pleasant morning after a fresh spell of rain in the national capital on Tuesday.

The city witnessed heavy showers and thunderstorms, affecting vehicular movement and leading to the diversion of many flights.

“Due to bad weather in Delhi, 10 Delhi-bound flights were diverted (nine from Jaipur and one from Lucknow) between 6.25 pm and 8 pm,” an airport official said.

Delhi experienced moderate to severe thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds, reaching speeds of 70-80 kilometres per hour, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The weather office issued a ‘yellow’ alert for Wednesday, warning of traffic disruptions and inundation of low-lying areas due to rain. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 35 degrees Celsius, news agency PTI reported.

Maximum temperatures are predicted to remain below the 40-degree mark until June 5.

Delhi’s primary weather station, Safdarjung Observatory, on Tuesday, recorded a maximum temperature of 35.9 degrees Celsius, five notches below normal.