The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has released an updated travel advisory for Delhi, the National Capital Region and adjoining states after forecasting a renewed spell of post-monsoon thunderstorms between 6 and 9 October. In an article published by NativePlanet on 4 October, the IMD cautions that gusty winds of up to 55 km/h and short, intense downpours could trigger airport diversions, road-traffic delays and temporary suspension of the Airport Metro Express. Airlines operating into Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) have already activated contingency rosters. Air India and IndiGo said in notices to agents that wide-body flights may be re-sequenced to avoid peak lightning windows, and remote bays could replace aerobridge stands, adding 15–20 minutes to turnaround times. Business-jet operators at Delhi’s General Aviation Terminal have been advised to file flexible flight plans or consider diversion alternates such as Jaipur or Lucknow. Road travellers face potential snarls on NH-48 and the Yamuna Expressway where waterlogging historically occurs. Mobility managers moving expatriate staff between corporate campuses in Gurugram, Noida and central Delhi should schedule buffer time and have ride-hail alternatives on standby. Car-leasing firms report a 30 % spike in pre-booked SUVs with higher ground-clearance—a tactic popular with relocation companies shuttling assignees to property viewings. The advisory arrives during a critical conference season for Delhi, with the IndiaChem trade fair and multiple corporate AGMs slated for the coming week. Event organisers are urging delegates to reconfirm hotel airport-pick-ups and to carry electronic boarding passes to minimise check-in queues if flight schedules bunch up. While the IMD stresses that the weather system is typical of the retreating monsoon and not severe enough to cause large-scale flooding, the agency recommends that travellers enrol for SMS alerts via the Mausam app for real-time updates on thunderstorm development and resultant aviation holds. Employers are reminded that India’s Occupational Safety Code obliges them to factor weather advisories into duty-of-care risk assessments for staff on work travel.
Source: NativePlanet
