India, March 19 -- Heavy rain and a sudden dust storm battered Delhi and the National Capital Region on Wednesday evening, disrupting air traffic, triggering power outages, and causing widespread traffic snarls during peak hours.

At least 16 flights were diverted at Indira Gandhi International Airport as strong winds and poor visibility hit operations. Airlines issued advisories urging passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport.

The abrupt change in weather came after a day of cloudy skies and a relatively pleasant morning. By evening, dark clouds, gusty winds, and intense showers swept across the city, catching commuters off guard. Visuals from across the Capital showed long traffic jams as rain lashed roads during...