New Delhi, December 12: Heavy rains and hailstorm hit Delhi and National Capital Region or NCR on Thursday evening. According to news agency ANI, a large part of the Delhi-NCR recieved rainfall, adding to the winter chill. Rains are expected to improve air quality in the national capital and surrounding areas. Due to heavy rains, flight operations were affected at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport. Delhi Rains: 13 Buffaloes, 4 Cows Dead After Roof of Tin Shelter in Najafgarh Collapses.

In a statement, Delhi's IGI airport said: "Due to heavy rains and strong wind, some flight operations at Delhi Airport are impacted. For further info, get in touch with the airline concerned. Any inconvenience caused to flyers is regretted." National carrier Air India diverted two flights. Three more planes of Air India were held up at the Delhi airport. News agency ANI shared pictures of heavy rains in RK Puram, Lodhi Road and Constitution Club.

Air quality in Delhi and NCR remained in the 'severe' category for the second straight on Thursday. The overall air quality index (AQI) recorded at 407 in the national capital. According to Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR), the AQI in Ghaziabad was at 470, Noida and Greater Noida at 422 and Faridabad at 398.

Air India Flights Diverted Due to Heavy Rains in Delhi:

An AQI between 0-50 is considered "good", 51-100 "satisfactory", 101-200 "moderate", 201-300 "poor", 301-400 "very poor", and 401-500 "severe". Above 500 is "severe-plus emergency" category. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted heavy rainfall and lightning in parts of Delhi.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 12, 2019 09:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).