Airlines issue advisory after dust storm & heavy rain sweeps Delhi-NCR

Airlines have issued an advisory after a hailstorm accompanied by heavy rain lashed Delhi-NCR late Wednesday evening, bringing a sudden change in weather after the city endured a hot and humid day. Smites of wind and dust hit several parts of the capital, reducing visibility.

According to the weather department, winds with speeds of 60-70 kmph were reported across Delhi and nearby areas. Palam recorded a wind speed of 20 knots (approximately 35 kmph), gusting up to 40 knots (around 72 kmph).

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and its neighbouring areas, embedded in an east-west trough extending from Punjab to Bangladesh in the lower tropospheric levels, is influencing the weather. Moisture is feeding into the system from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, it added.

ALSO READ: Massive dust storm, heavy rain hit Delhi-NCR after ‘feels like’ temperature crosses 50°C

Delhi airport operator DIAL said flight operations may be impacted due to inclement weather conditions and thunderstorms in the national capital. IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet issued advisories stating that adverse weather conditions were disrupting flight operations.

"Heavy rain and thunderstorm in Delhi, Chandigarh and Kolkata is impacting flights. We understand weather delays are never easy, we sincerely appreciate your patience. Do check your flight status before heading to the airport http://bit.ly/3ZWAQXd," said IndiGo.

#6ETravelAdvisory: Heavy rain and thunderstorm in #Delhi, #Chandigarh and #Kolkata is impacting flights. We understand weather delays are never easy, we sincerely appreciate your patience. Do check your flight status before heading to the airport https://t.co/IEBbuCsa3e pic.twitter.com/MSO8qLlIEw

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) May 21, 2025

Meanwhile, also said that rain and thunderstorms may disrupt flights to/from Delhi this evening. "Please check your flight status here https://airindia.com/in/en/manage/flight-status.html before heading to the airport and allow extra time for your journey."

#TravelAdvisory

Rain and thunderstorms may disrupt flights to/from Delhi this evening.

Please check your flight status here https://t.co/5vemTROi62 before heading to the airport and allow extra time for your journey.

— Air India (@airindia) May 21, 2025

SpiceJet's flights are also likely to be affected, as per the airline. "Due to bad weather (thunderstorm with heavy rain) in Delhi (DEL), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may get affected. Additionally, traffic movement to the airport might be affected due to heavy rains. Passengers travelling to the airport are requested to keep a tab on live traffic and plan their journey accordingly. Also, keep a check on flight status via http://spicejet.com/#status."

#WeatherUpdate: Due to bad weather (thunderstorm with heavy rain) in Delhi (DEL), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may get affected. Additionally, traffic movement to the airport might be affected due to heavy rains. Passengers travelling to the airport are…

— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) May 21, 2025

The weather shift came hours after Delhi experienced sweltering conditions, with the heat index – or the "feels like" temperature – soaring to 50.2 degrees Celsius, owing to a mix of high humidity and intense sunshine.

According to the IMD, the maximum temperature Wednesday touched 40.7 degrees Celsius, 0.5 degrees above normal, while humidity levels oscillated between 64 and 34 per cent.