Heatwave Interrupted: Dust Storms and Gusty Winds Bring Dramatic Twist to Delhi-NCR

A short bout of gusty winds and dust storms raged across Delhi, Noida, and the National Capital Region outskirts on Saturday afternoon, bringing relief from the heatwave that has surrounded the region for days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast thunderstorms with showers, with the maximum temperatures forecast at 42 degrees Celsius.

 

The weather situation, which started at about 3:30 pm, was characterized by gusty winds of 40 to 60 km/h speed. Visibility plummeted in most parts as dust, swept from North Pakistan through Punjab and Haryana, rushed into the area on high-speed westerly winds. IMD had predicted that dust storms, thunderstorms, and light to moderate rain with lightning may take place in all areas of Delhi and NCR in the coming few hours.

 

Noida and Greater Noida were particularly affected. In Greater Noida, the intense dust storm caused havoc in residential houses, shattering windows, tearing doors, and toppling air conditioners. Several electric poles and trees were also destroyed, leading to power and traffic congestions, especially on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway.

 

Different parts of Delhi-Narela, Rohini, Punjabi Bagh, and Safdarjung saw showers, lightning, and squally winds. There was some relief from heat through the rain, but the maximum temperature stayed above 42 degrees Celsius in most of the city.

 

The sudden shift in weather also impacted air quality. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reinstated Stage-I measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the NCR after a steep decline in the Air Quality Index (AQI) due to wind movement. IMD has come out with an orange alert for the weekend, forecasting long-drawn thunderstorms, rain, and gusty winds over Delhi-NCR. Partly dusty storms and cloudiness are expected to prevail over the next two days, with temperatures expected to gradually drop under increasing cloud cover and pre-monsoon activity.

 

Source: Hindustan Times