New Delhi: Severe weather disrupted air travel in two of India's busiest aviation hubs on Sunday, with 15 flights diverted from Delhi Airport amid thunderstorms and strong winds, while heavy rain in Mumbai temporarily shut runway operations and triggered widespread delays.

According to airport sources, 15 Delhi-bound flights, including 10 domestic and five international services, were diverted to Jaipur and Lucknow as adverse weather conditions affected flight operations in the national capital.

The diversions came as thunderstorms swept across Delhi-NCR, bringing intense rain, gusty winds and fluctuating temperatures after days of hot and humid weather. The sudden change in conditions reduced visibility and affected aircraft movements, prompting airlines and airport authorities to closely monitor operations.

Delhi Airport issued an advisory warning passengers about weather-related disruptions and possible delays.

"Due to inclement weather conditions in Delhi, flight operations are impacted at Delhi Airport," the airport said in a post on X, adding that teams were working with airlines and stakeholders to minimise inconvenience. Passengers were also advised to check flight status with their respective airlines before heading to the airport.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported rain and thunder activity over New Delhi on Sunday afternoon, with forecasts indicating the possibility of thunderstorms through the evening. While temperatures dipped to around 28 degrees Celsius in some rain-hit areas, other parts of the region continued to record temperatures between 34 and 36 degrees Celsius.

Mumbai airport hit by rain-related disruptions

The weather-related turmoil was not limited to Delhi.

In Mumbai, heavy rainfall and strong winds forced authorities at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to suspend runway operations for nearly an hour on Sunday morning, disrupting flight schedules across the day.

Airport officials said runway operations were halted between 10.17 am and 11.17 am after wind speeds touched 42 knots and visibility dropped sharply due to intense rainfall. Normal operations resumed after weather conditions improved.

The temporary shutdown had a cascading impact on flight schedules. According to flight-tracking data, a large majority of services operating through Mumbai experienced delays, with departures facing the most significant disruption. Some incoming flights were also affected, while a small percentage of services were cancelled due to adverse weather.

Mumbai airport handles nearly 1,000 flights daily, making even brief operational suspensions capable of affecting airline schedules across the country.

With agency inputs