Gurgaon and the wider National Capital Region (NCR) experienced a dramatic and swift weather shift on Friday evening as a potent thunderstorm, characterised by intense winds that whipped up blinding swirls of dust, descended upon the area.
This sudden meteorological event significantly disrupted traffic flow and impacted flight operations, underscoring the increasing volatility of weather patterns in the region. The forceful winds were preceded by a brief spell of light rainfall across various parts of the city, which brought a welcome, albeit temporary, respite from the prevailing heat and humidity, causing the ambient temperature to drop by approximately five degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier issued a red alert for duststorms, a warning that unfortunately materialised with considerable force. Across Gurgaon, including sectors 30, 40, 45, and 50, the impact of the storm was evident, with reports of tree branches breaking and falling, posing hazards to both pedestrians and vehicles. Commuters faced considerable challenges navigating roads with severely reduced visibility due to the thick blanket of dust that enveloped the city.
Recounting her harrowing experience, Neha Batra, a resident of Sector 45, who was caught in the storm while driving home, described it as feeling “like a wall of dust hit us out of nowhere.” She further added, “The roads were barely visible, and I saw branches falling right in front of my car. It was terrifying,” vividly illustrating the sudden and intense nature of the weather event and the immediate danger it posed to those caught outdoors. Echoing this sentiment, Vikram Singh, a resident of Sector 50, described his entire street as being “covered in a blanket of dust.” He noted the sheer force of the wind, stating, “The wind was so strong it rattled my house’s windows. I stepped out to check and saw that the entire street was covered in dust. A big branch from a tree across the road had come crashing down, blocking the lane leading to our houses,” highlighting the widespread impact of the storm and the potential for significant disruption to daily life.
Adding to the immediate concerns, the IMD issued an advisory urging residents to remain indoors, underscoring the potential for further hazardous weather conditions, including the possibility of hailstorms in the city. The department also flagged the potential for damage to vulnerable structures, plantations, and standing agricultural crops, indicating the broader economic and environmental risks associated with such severe weather events. This turbulent weather episode occurred a mere day after the city had already grappled with a similar dust storm on Thursday, an event that had also resulted in a sharp decline in temperatures. The maximum temperature in Gurgaon experienced a significant 5-degree drop, falling from 38.1°C on Thursday to 33.1°C on Friday. The minimum temperature recorded on Friday was 22.2°C, which was still 3.2 degrees above the normal for this time of year. Just two days prior, on Wednesday, the city had recorded the season’s highest maximum temperature at a scorching 39.9°C, highlighting the rapid and unpredictable fluctuations in weather patterns.
However, the IMD cautioned that the brief period of relief from the heat may be short-lived. A yellow alert remains in effect for Saturday and Sunday, with forecasts indicating the possibility of isolated thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. More alarmingly, a heatwave alert has already been declared for April 15, signaling a swift return to high temperatures. Such an alert is officially issued when the maximum temperature deviates significantly from the norm, being at least 4.5 degrees above normal and reaching 40°C or higher, or when it reaches a sweltering 45°C or above. This stark contrast between the sudden dust storm and the impending heatwave underscores the increasing climate variability and the challenges it poses for urban environments like Gurgaon and the broader NCR. The need for sustainable urban planning and resilient infrastructure to cope with such extreme weather events is becoming increasingly critical.
NCR Breathes Briefly as Storm Cools City
