NEW DELHI: After several days of temperatures soaring above 40°C, Delhi-NCR witnessed a sudden change in weather on Wednesday evening.A severe hailstorm with intense rainfall struck Delhi-NCR causing an abrupt weather transformation following a hot and humid day. Strong winds and dust storms hit parts of Delhi, causing poor visibility, uprooted trees, traffic disruptions, and flight diversions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported gusty winds over various parts of Delhi between 7.45 pm and 8.30 pm.Wind speeds reached 79 kmph in Safdarjung and 72 kmph in Palam. The storm uprooted trees, knocked down hoardings, and caused traffic jams, especially in central and south Delhi and across the NCR.According to the weather department, wind speeds of 60-70 kmph were reported across Delhi and nearby areas. In Palam, winds reached 20 knots (about 35 kmph), with gusts up to 40 knots (around 72 kmph), reported news agency PTI.Visuals from Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport showed continuous rainfall, while central and west Delhi saw strong winds. Areas like Gol Market and Lodi Road witnessed a short but intense hailstorm. In Noida, heavy rain and hail led to low visibility and waterlogged roads.Several domestic and international flights to Delhi have been delayed or diverted due to bad weather, according to airport sources. Waterlogging in low-lying areas slowed traffic and led to minor accidents during the evening rush.IMD reported that a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and adjacent areas, within an east-west trough stretching from Punjab to Bangladesh in lower tropospheric levels, is affecting the weather patterns.The system is receiving moisture from both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.This weather change occurred after Delhi experienced intense heat earlier in the day, with the heat index – or the “feels like” temperature – reaching 50.2 degrees Celsius, due to combined high humidity and strong sunshine.The IMD reported that Wednesday’s maximum temperature reached 40.7 degrees Celsius, exceeding normal by 0.5 degrees, whilst humidity fluctuated between 64 and 34 per cent.Also read: Delhi rain: Thunderstorm brings national capital to halt, flights delayed, traffic hit