A thunderstorm rolled into Delhi on the night of May 24, leaving behind a path of destruction that is now all too familiar to its residents. In the span of a few hours, the city was pounded by relentless rain, strong winds, and lightning flashes that transformed the urban landscape into a crisis zone.
The deluge caused road blockages, halted air traffic, triggered blackouts, and took four lives. For a city that boasts of being a future-ready smart metropolis, Delhi looked anything but prepared.
Air Traffic Paralyzed by Nature’s Wrath
At the Indira Gandhi International Airport, flight operations collapsed under the storm’s pressure. As many as 49 flights were diverted due to dangerous wind conditions and poor visibility. Passengers described the experience as chaotic, with airline staff reportedly offering minimal support.
“There were hundreds of us waiting, with no clear updates. I finally got to Delhi 12 hours after my scheduled time,” said a stranded flier from Hyderabad.
The storm’s fury even dislodged a portion of the roof at Terminal 3—a modern facility meant to reflect India’s global stature. It was a symbolic moment, underlining how extreme weather is exposing the cracks in even the best-maintained structures.
A Flooded Capital: Roads Become Rivers
Saturday morning saw Delhi transformed. Roads like Barakhamba, South Extension, Ring Road, and parts of Rohini were submerged. Auto-rickshaws floated, cars stalled, and pedestrians had to wade through filthy water.
Public buses were delayed or rerouted, and even emergency vehicles found it difficult to navigate the flooded streets.
Many residents took to social media to post videos of their morning commutes, turning public outrage viral. “All this water and yet no water in our taps,” said one tweet, reflecting the paradox of Delhi’s urban mismanagement.
Fatal Collapse in Dwarka
Tragedy struck in the Dwarka area, where four laborers were killed after a large tree toppled onto a tin-roofed shelter. The men had taken refuge from the rain but found themselves at the mercy of poorly maintained urban greenery.
The Delhi Fire Service responded swiftly, but the force of the impact left no room for rescue. The event has renewed calls for a citywide inspection of old trees, particularly those near roads, shelters, and informal settlements.
Electricity Out, Patience Tested
With transformers blown and power lines snapped, many parts of Delhi suffered blackouts lasting several hours. South Delhi, East Delhi, and areas of North Campus bore the brunt. Without power, water pumps stopped working, and mobile networks began to lag.
Local authorities promised speedy repair, but for many, the discomfort of a powerless night and a muggy morning were unforgettable.
Environmentalists Call for Urgency
Environmentalists say that these events will only intensify as Delhi warms up further and its population grows. “This was not just a storm—it was a stress test of our systems,” said urban ecologist Dr. Tanvi Sharma.
She noted that short-term drainage efforts won’t help unless Delhi invests in long-term planning, including green infrastructure, permeable roads, and climate-resilient buildings.
A Public Tired of Excuses
While government officials promised clean-up drives, audits, and restoration, public sentiment remained sour. “We’ve been hearing the same things since 2010,” said Ashish Arora, a trader in Karol Bagh. “Where is the accountability?”
Delhi’s storm wasn’t just a weather event—it was a mirror to the capital’s vulnerabilities. And unless that reflection sparks action, the next storm could prove even more costly.
