Massive dust storm, thundershowers hit Delhi, NCR; traffic snarls, power outage reported in several areas

A massive dust storm accompanied with gusty winds and thundershowers hit the national capital and neighbouring areas of Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad on Friday. 

Several areas plunged into premature darkness. There were reports of power blackout in some parts of the Delhi-NCR region causing inconvenience to residents.

Rain lashes parts of Delhi; #visuals from near Shastri Bhawan pic.twitter.com/m38mQnFDGq

— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2019

At least 11 flights between 9 pm to 9:30 pm and between 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm were diverted at Delhi's IGI Airport owing to air congestion. 

Total of "11 flights have been diverted from Delhi airport till 9.25 pm" and "more flights are expected to be diverted in the coming hours", officials said.

Thundershowers have led to traffic snarls in several areas in Delhi, Gurugram and Ghaziabad. 

Earlier in the day, as predicted, rains lashed several parts of the national capital on Friday providing some relief to Delhiites from the scorching heat.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 24.6 degrees Celsius, two notches below the season's average, while the maximum was recorded at 37.4 degrees Celsius, three notches below the season's average.

The weatherman has forecast cloudy skies for Saturday with the possibility of thunderstorm accompanied with very light rains and gusty winds.

The weather is likely to remain pleasant on Saturday and the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 37 degrees and 24 degrees Celsius, respectively.