As heavy rain lashed the Capital on Tuesday, triggered by a Western Disturbance that prompted the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert, traffic across Delhi came to a grinding halt. The downpour, which began early in the day and intensified in the evening, led to severe congestion on several arterial roads, with commuters reporting being stuck in jams for hours. As many as 15 flights were diverted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), with airlines issued advisories urging passengers to arrive early due to the adverse weather conditions. Officials said that of the 15 flights, eight were diverted to Jaipur, five to Lucknow and two to Chandigarh. The Delhi Traffic Police received several complaints and distress messages through its helpline and social media channels. Many residents took to X to share images and videos of long queues of vehicles and waterlogged stretches, urging authorities to intervene. A collision on the Barapullah elevated corridor caused a 24-m-long jam that spilled over onto National Highway 44, impacting traffic between Delhi and Noida during rush hour. The gridlock stretched all the way to Sarai Kale Khan, where commuters said they were stranded for over an hour. Several motorists also reported being stuck for long durations between Moti Bagh and AIIMS, while traffic on the Rao Tularam Flyover between Munirka and Vasant Vihar moved at a snail’s pace, taking close to 30 minutes to cover a 3-km stretch. South Delhi was particularly hard hit, with key arterial roads such as Baba Bandha Singh Bahadur Setu, Mathura Road, Josep Broz Tito Marg, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Lajpat Nagar Bridge, and Lala Lajpat Rai Marg witnessing bumper-to-bumper movement. Commuters heading towards IGI Airport and Gurgaon also faced long delays due to chock-a-block traffic and waterlogging near underpasses. In North Delhi, traffic snarls were reported along Sadhu Vasvani Marg, Vande Mataram Marg, Mandir Marg, and Panchkuian Marg leading towards Karol Bagh and Jhandewalan. The Delhi-Panipat highway between Bhalswa and Jahangirpuri saw similar conditions, with vehicles crawling for kilometres. Meanwhile, with flight operations impacted at IGI Airport, airlines posted advisories on social media. "Rain may impact flight operations to and from Delhi today. Please check your flight status here … before heading to the airport and allow extra time for your journey due to possible slow moving traffic," Air India posted on X. IndiGo advised travellers to leave for the airport early. "While we want your journey to be as hassle-free as possible, Mother Nature has her own plans. With heavy rain and thunderstorms expected again in Delhi, there is a chance this could lead to air traffic congestion and impact flight operations. While we continue doing our best to keep operations smooth, we recommend planning ahead,” it posted on X. “Any changes to your flight schedule will be shared via your registered contact details, so do ensure they are up to date. Check your flight status on our website or app before heading to the airport. And with waterlogging and slow-moving traffic likely, allow some extra time for your commute. Stay safe on the roads, and travel prepared," it added.
