Local media reports indicate that four individuals have lost their lives, and over a dozen others have sustained injuries in the capital city of Delhi and surrounding regions following a severe hailstorm that struck on Wednesday.
A severe storm caused significant disruption, uprooting trees, resulting in widespread power outages, and creating substantial traffic congestion as streets became waterlogged.
Reports indicate that India’s financial capital, Mumbai, experienced flooding in various areas due to pre-monsoon showers.
India’s meteorological department has issued a warning for “heavy to hefty rainfall” anticipated along the western coast over the next 6-7 days. Rains and thunderstorms are expected to impact nearly a dozen states, especially in the southern regions of the country, in the days ahead.
On Wednesday, heavy rainfall caused significant disruptions at Delhi airport, one of India’s busiest travel hubs. Reports indicate that nearly 50 flights experienced delays, while almost a dozen were diverted, according to an airport official cited by the Hindustan Times.
Passengers aboard a flight operated by India’s largest airline, Indigo, faced a distressing experience as their aircraft became ensnared in a hailstorm while en route to Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir.
A video circulating online captures the harrowing moments as numerous passengers cry out for assistance while the aircraft shakes violently amid severe turbulence.
The airline confirmed that the flight arrived safely in Srinagar despite the emergence of an image online showing what appears to be damage to the aircraft’s nose. The airline has yet to provide a statement regarding the photo.
In a recent advisory posted on X, the Delhi Metro alerted commuters to possible delays caused by fallen trees and debris obstructing the tracks.
In Mumbai’s Andheri area, known for its affluence, viral videos have emerged depicting plastic bags and various waste items floating on the streets, a consequence of the recent rains that have overwhelmed the sewer system.
Numerous social media users have expressed their dissatisfaction with authorities regarding inadequate waste management and the city’s ineffective drainage system.
This week, relentless rainfall caused significant disruptions in Bengaluru, often referred to as India’s Silicon Valley. Rain-related incidents have resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals.
Footage from the city captured commuters navigating through knee-deep water while numerous vehicles remained stranded on inundated streets. In some regions of the town, residents experienced water intrusion into their homes.
India experiences a significant majority of its annual rainfall, approximately 80%, during the monsoon season, typically commencing in June and extending through September. The monsoon season plays a vital role in the livelihoods of numerous Indians, particularly farmers who depend on seasonal rainfall, especially in regions lacking irrigation infrastructure.
Experts indicate that climate change has resulted in increasingly erratic weather patterns, characterised by unseasonal rains, flash floods, and droughts associated with extreme heat, which have significantly disrupted the lives of millions.
