NEW DELHI: The moderate intensity of thunderstorm accompanied by rain and squall with the wind speed touching 70kmph affected flight operations for over three hours at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Monday. Over 100 flights were delayed and 20 diverted, causing inconvenience to hundreds of passengers.
R K Jenamani, senior scientist at India Meteorological Department (IMD), said that among all weather hazards, thunderstorm caused the highest threat to aviation across the world. The maximum impact was felt between 6am and 7.30am due to the changing wind pattern, stated IMD. “Before the thunderstorm, the wind direction was easterly, but there was cross-wind during the thunderstorm as it changed to north-easterly, then to easterly. The wind speed was mostly at 50-60kmph and even touched 70kmph at 7am. The situation normalised around 8am,” said Jenamani. The Delhi airport also recorded 27.6mm rainfall till 8.30am on Monday.
