Overview
- The IMD issued yellow and orange alerts for Delhi, citing a western disturbance driving moderate to heavy rain with thunderstorms, lightning, hail and gusty winds.
- Delhi International Airport cautioned that operations could be affected, and IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet told passengers to expect possible delays and to check flight status.
- At least 15 flights were diverted from IGI—eight to Jaipur, five to Lucknow and two to Chandigarh—while officials reported more than 100 delays.
- The downpour cut Palam visibility from about 6,000 metres at 1.30 pm to 1,200 metres by 5 pm, contributing to waterlogging and long traffic snarls across Delhi-NCR.
- Officials said the rains were a natural event rather than cloud seeding, with October totals running several times the normal and air quality temporarily improving.