Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) experienced a sudden and severe weather event characterized by powerful dust storms and heavy rainfall.
Wind speeds reached up to 74 km/h at Palam Airport, leading to widespread disruption, including uprooted trees, damaged infrastructure, and significant flight delays at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Tragically, four fatalities were reported due to wall collapses in central and outer parts of the city . The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the region, forecasting continued thunderstorms, dust storms, and light rain over the next few days.
These weather patterns are attributed to a combination of western disturbances and cyclonic circulations over Punjab and Uttar Pradesh . Despite the rainfall, temperatures remain high, with the maximum temperature on Saturday recorded at 40.8°C, close to the seasonal average. The IMD predicts that temperatures will rise further, with maximums reaching around 42°C in the coming days . Air quality has also been affected, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuating between ‘moderate’ and ‘poor’ categories. The Commission for Air Quality Management has invoked Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to mitigate further deterioration
Residents are advised to stay indoors during severe weather events, secure loose objects, and follow updates from official sources. The recent events underscore the need for improved urban planning and infrastructure resilience to cope with increasingly volatile weather patterns.
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