Weather changed its course unexpectedly on Friday evening as a dust storm hit the national Capital and NCR, plunging the city into darkness and throwing road and air traffic out of gear in parts of the city. The dust storm caused a sharp dip in the visibility as the sprawling Raisina Hill complex, the seat of the Government and the lutyens’ Zone, was shrouded in dust kicked up by gusty winds followed by drizzle.
Due to the sharp fall in visibility, vehicles plying on the streets came to a momentary standstill while pedestrians rushed to seek shelter. As many as 24 incoming flights were reportedly diverted. There are up to one hour delays in both arrivals and departures at the airport. A passenger tweeted that his flight was diverted to Amritsar after two abortive attempts for landing.
Vistara’s Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer Sanjiv Kapoor said many flights from Mumbai have been diverted to Amritsar. “Passengers advised to be patient as we are doing the best we can. Weather not in our control and airport also has constraints in handling so many unexpected flights and passengers,” he tweeted.
After a sudden change in weather phenomenon, office-goers and others, who were preparing to leave for home, were seen curiously peeping out of windows of buildings as it became dark outside rather early after a blistering afternoon.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of thunderstorm accompanied with squall very likely at isolated places over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi. The IMD has issued a forecast of partly cloudy sky with a possibility of rain or thunderstorm or dust storm for Saturday.
IMD Additional Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said there was a circulation over North Rajasthan and Haryana, which led to thunder storm and dust storm.
He cited that the rising mercury and moisture from the circulation had brought rain and squally winds. Several parts of north India experience dust storms when temperature rises.
According to Skymet, a private weather organisation, “It would be a prolonged spell, which would stay for at least three-four days from April 6 to April 10. Pre-Monsoon activities are likely to finally make an appearance over the national Capital including nearby areas of Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad and Ghaziabad”.
“A fresh Western Disturbance over Jammu & Kashmir has induced a cyclonic circulation over Northeast Rajasthan and adjoining Haryana. Another feeble cyclonic circulation is seen over Northwest Uttar Pradesh and adjoining areas,” Skymet mentioned in its weather update release. “Due to the combined effect of these weather systems, many parts of northwestern plains including Delhi may record thunderstorm or dust storm activities,” it added.
The intensity of rain is likely to pick up pace by April 9. With this, there is prediction of rain and thundershowers till April 10.
Weather experts said that this short spell would bring required relief from the heat in afternoon and warm nights. “Although mercury would drop but it would be a gradual one. As these would be pre-Monsoon activities, it would mostly occur during the later part of the day or evening and by then, mercury had already peaked. But relief is on card,” weather expert said.