Storm Causes Devastation in the National Capital Region
On Wednesday evening, a powerful storm accompanied by heavy rainfall, hail, and strong winds struck Delhi and Ghaziabad, resulting in the tragic deaths of four individuals. Reports indicate that the storm caused significant damage across the National Capital Region.
Numerous vehicles were affected, and many trees were uprooted, leading to severe traffic disruptions and interruptions in metro services.
Power outages were widespread, primarily due to fallen trees impacting electrical lines.
The deceased included an unidentified man in a wheelchair who was electrocuted by a fallen high-voltage cable on Lodhi Road, a 22-year-old named Azhar who was killed by a falling tree in Gokulpuri, a 40-year-old named Muzamil who died in Ghaziabad from a similar incident, and a 38-year-old woman who lost her life when a school wall collapsed onto her home in Ghaziabad.
The Delhi Fire Services reported receiving over 25 calls regarding fallen trees, including two that collapsed near the Nizamuddin police station, damaging vehicles and causing traffic congestion. Another tree fell on Teen Murti Marg, crushing a taxi.
Metro services were also affected due to damage to overhead equipment and debris on the tracks. Normal operations resumed on the yellow line by 10:05 PM and on the red line by 11:03 PM, according to a spokesperson.
At least 13 flights were diverted from Delhi airport, including 12 domestic flights redirected to Jaipur and one international flight to Mumbai.
An IndiGo flight traveling from Delhi to Srinagar encountered severe turbulence and had to make an emergency landing after hail damaged the aircraft's nose. Fortunately, all 227 passengers aboard flight 6E 2142 landed safely at 8:30 PM, as confirmed by the Srinagar Airport Authority.
