At least three persons sustained injuries and more than 20 flights were diverted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Friday evening due to inclement weather conditions. Delhi and the National Capital Region were hit by intense thunderstorms and dust storms on Friday, mere hours after the India Meteorological Department had warned of the change in weather.
An intense dust storm swept across the city in the evening, with the skies blanketed by clouds. Delhi witnessed sunny weather during the day but by evening, the sky had turned cloudy. There were also reports of disruptions of electricity supply and dozens of trees uprooted in some parts of the capital city. Visuals from Delhi and Noida showed reduced visibility ahead of the thundershowers. This marks the second such incident in the past 24 four hours.
A source said that over 20 flights were diverted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). “Due to inclement weather conditions in Delhi, some of the flights at Delhi Airport are impacted. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight updates,” airport operator DIAL said in a post on X at 1915 hours. IndiGo said Delhi and Jaipur are experiencing a dust storm, affecting takeoffs and landings and potentially causing air traffic congestion. This may lead to delays or diversions, the operator said in the post.
Areas such as Kartavya Path, Mathura Road, Delhi University, Civil Lines, and the Red Fort received rainfall. Parts of the NCR, including Noida and Ghaziabad, also experienced showers accompanied by gusty winds.
At least three persons sustained injuries after some construction material fell on them from the roof of a house in the Chander Vihar area following a dust storm. The strong and dusty wind led to disruption in power supply in some parts of the capital city which include parts of Narela, Bawana, Badli and Mangolpuri.
In a statement, Tata Power — DDL said, “Today’s dust storm and isolated rain during the evening led to localised disruptions in power supply in some parts of North Delhi, primarily due to branches of trees and other objects falling on electrical lines. Additionally, some disruptions were observed in High Tension (HT) and Low Tension (LT) networks,” it said.
“Our operations and maintenance teams were immediately mobilised to address the situation. Power supply has been restored in most areas, with efforts ongoing to resolve issues in a few remaining pockets,” it added. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has also reported complaints regarding tree felling.
Earlier, the Met Department has predicted that a dust storm followed by a thunderstorm, accompanied by light to moderate rainfall, lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-80 kmph, is expected later in the evening. “Recent Delhi RADAR Animation taken at 0415 PM IST today shows approach of moderate to intense thunderstorm and associated cloud mass currently located over Haryana with eastward movement,” IMD noted in a post in X. Rains and thunderstorms accompanied by sand storms had hit parts of Delhi and NCR on Thursday evening, bringing temperatures in the intense summer-hit National Capital Region down.
The department also outlined possible impacts of the severe weather, cautioning that strong winds and hail may damage plantations, horticulture and standing crops. There is also a risk of injury to people and cattle in open areas, partial damage to vulnerable structures, minor harm to kutcha houses and huts, and the possibility of loose objects being blown away. The orange alert indicates that residents should “be prepared” and “take action” as per the IMD’s advisory.
The IMD has advised people to stay indoors, secure windows and doors, and avoid unnecessary travel. It also recommended taking shelter in safe places — not under trees — and avoiding contact with concrete surfaces. People are urged to unplug electrical appliances, exit water bodies immediately, and stay away from objects that conduct electricity.
Netizens were quick to capture the changing weather on thier phones and posted their experience in the National Capital Region amidst the plummeting temperatures on social media platform X.
The maximum temperature was recorded at 35.8 degrees Celsius, 0.3 notches below normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 22.8 degrees Celsius, 1.8 notches above normal, according to the Met office.
Humidity levels ranged between 69 and 61 per cent. The IMD has predicted thunderstorms with rain on Saturday. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 35 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature could dip to around 20 degrees Celsius.
Delhi’s air quality showed a slight improvement, shifting from the ‘poor’ to the ‘moderate’ category, with an AQI of 164 at 4 pm, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
