Delhi hit by intense ‘never seen' dust storm, heavy rain after temperatures soared to ‘feels like' 50 °C
The sudden weather change in Delhi caused widespread disruption, with reduced visibility, uprooted trees, and waterlogged roads reported across the capital and neighbouring areas, including Noida and Ghaziabad.
Areas such as East Delhi's Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, and Gokalpuri witnessed massive dust columns, while the Lodi Road region experienced a brief hailstorm alongside isolated rain showers.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the storm to a cyclonic circulation over Haryana, drawing moisture from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, and issued a red alert for the region.
Despite the chaos, residents welcomed the respite from the intense heat, though authorities advised caution and urged people to stay indoors during the severe weather spells.
The IMD issued a red alert in several districts in Delhi, forecasting light to moderate rain with thunderstorms, dust storms, and gusty winds, and as the skies turned overcast, heavy rain lashed numerous parts of the city.
Station Wind speed Time in Hrs IST Safdarjung (Airport) 79 kmph 8.10 pm Palam (Airport) 74 kmph 8.00 pm Pragati Maidan (Central Delhi) 78 kmph 8.15 pm Pitampura (Northwest Delhi) 65 kmph 8.00 pm Delhi University (North Delhi) 63 kmph 8.00 pm Lodi Road (New Delhi) 56 kmph 8. 15 pm Najafgarh (Southwest Delhi) 50 kmph 8. 15 pm Jafarpura (Southwest Delhi) 43 kmph 8.00 pm KV Janakpuri (Delhi) 43 kmph 8.00 pm KV Narayana (Delhi) 41 kmph 8.00 pm
The heavy rain and hailstorm that followed the dust storm brought a welcome respite from the oppressive summer heat, which had pushed Delhi's power demand to record highs.
However, meteorologists warn that while rainfall may temporarily lower temperatures, high humidity is expected to persist in the capital until the onset of the monsoon season, typically arriving in late June.
Residents were advised to remain cautious during extreme weather events, as strong winds and reduced visibility disrupted daily life and travel. Flight operations in Delhi-NCR were also affected, with airlines issuing advisories urging passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
IndiGo, one of India's leading carriers, acknowledged the impact of the adverse weather conditions on its operations. In a statement, the airline said, 'Heavy rain and thunderstorms in Delhi, Chandigarh and Kolkata are impacting flights. We understand weather delays are never easy, and we sincerely appreciate your patience. Do check your flight status before heading to the airport.'
'Rain and thunderstorms may disrupt flights to/from Delhi this evening,' wrote Air India.
The maximum temperature in Delhi reached 40.7 degrees Celsius, 0.5 degrees above normal, according to the Met Office, while humidity ranged between 64 and 34 per cent during the day.
The heat index, also known as the apparent or "feels like" temperature, measures how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature.
It is calculated using a formula that takes both air temperature and relative humidity into account, according to the IMD.
Meanwhile, the capital recorded its highest minimum temperature of the season so far at 30.2 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees above normal.
The IMD has forecasted a partly cloudy sky with the possibility of thunder and lightning ahead in the day.
The maximum and minimum temperature on Thursday is expected to be 40 and 29 degrees Celsius, it said.
The air quality was recorded in the poor category as the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 4 pm stood at 213.
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