New Delhi Hit By Lightning Storm: Causes Death And Injury, Historic 16th Century Mosque Damaged

Jama Masjid in New Delhi, India. (Wikimedia Commons/Mohd Aasif)

JAKARTA - At least one person was killed and several vehicles damaged after thunderstorms and torrential rains hit India's capital New Delhi and its satellite cities on Monday.

The storm also caused damage to the historic Jama Masjid, a 16th-century mosque in the heart of the city, when one of the finials atop the central dome snapped.

The Shahi or main imam of the Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari said two people were injured after a stone in the minaret fell off and fell.

"It needs immediate repairs to prevent further damage," he said, citing The National News on May 31.

New Delhi, which has been reeling under the scorching heat and humidity, experienced torrential rain and thunderstorms on Monday night. The dire conditions plunged temperatures sharply from 40ºC the previous day, to 25ºC by 5 p.m., a weather station said.

Winds of up to 100 kilometers per hour lashed the city, while hail was also reported in parts.

In Daryaganj Old Delhi, a 50-year-old man identified only by his first name Kamal, died after part of a neighbor's balcony fell on him.

Police said he was outside his home when debris was blown towards him by strong gusts of wind.

Heavy rains also caused waterlogging in some parts of the city. Dozens of trees also fell on the road, causing traffic jams during the evening rush hour. In some areas, vehicles were hit as chunks of frozen ice hit windshields and motorcyclists.

Videos and images on social media showed a vehicle stuck under a fallen tree. In one incident, a car was damaged after an air conditioner fell on it due to strong winds.

Police in Delhi have rescued three people, including a child, after their car got stuck under a fallen tree.

The storm also affected flights, with at least five diverted and more than 70 delayed at the capital's airport. Several passenger planes were reported circling over Indira Gandhi International Airport, waiting for the bad weather to recover.