Monday, May 20

Huge Wind, Dust Storm, Thunderstorm Hit Delhi, NCR

Edited by Dileep Kumar S
Huge Wind, Dust Storm, Thunderstorm Hit Delhi, NCR (Images: X)

Huge winds, storms, and thunderstorms took people in Delhi and surrounding areas by surprise on Friday night after many days of scorching heat. Social media is flooded with videos and images of the storm from Delhi roads, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has asked residents in the Delhi-NCR region to stay indoors, close windows and doors, and avoid travel if possible. The Met department has also urged the general public to seek safe shelter and not to take shelter under trees.

The IMD has also predicted that in next two hours, dust storm, thunderstorm with rain (followed by rain) and gusty winds with speed of 50-70 Km/h would occur over and adjoining areas of entire Delhi and NCR (Loni Dehat, Hindon AF Station, Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Noida, Dadri, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, Manesar, Ballabhgarh), Gohana, Gannaur, Sonipat, Rohtak, Kharkhoda (Haryana) Baraut, Bagpat, Khekra (U.P.). Light intensity rain/drizzle would occur over and adjoining areas of  Kaithal, Narwana, Rajaund, Assandh, Safidon, Barwala, Jind, Hissar, Hansi, Siwani, Meham and Tosham (Haryana).

Strong winds may damage plantation, horticulture and standing crops, the IMD said. It also predicted partial damage to vulnerable structures due to strong winds.

“Minor damage to kutcha houses/walls and huts. Loose objects may fly,” the IMD said in a statement on impacts expected over Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas due to dust storm.

“Gusty Winds (at 2200 hrs IST of today) reported (kmph) over Delhi: Ujwa 77 kmph; Jafarpur 57 kmph; Lodhi road 61 kmph; Pragati Maidan 63 kmph; Pitampura 57 kmph; Narayana 50 kmph; Najafgarh 40 kmph,” the IMD said.

Meanwhile, news agency ANI has quoted Delhi airport sources as saying that two Air India flights have been diverted to Jaipur due to bad weather in the national capital.