NEW DELHI: After an evening dust storm turned the skies over Delhi a shade of brown with wind speeds touching a staggering 120kmph at Palam, the capital witnessed an even more dramatic weather spectacle late into the night.Violent winds, intense lightning and spells of rain swept across Delhi-NCR. The sudden storm brought relief from the scorching heat but left behind scenes of disruption across the region.The pre-monsoon squall hit after a sweltering day that saw temperatures soaring well above normal, with Delhi reeling under heatwave-like conditions and a “feels-like” temperature crossing 45°C. What began as dust-laden winds in the evening quickly intensified into a powerful thunderstorm, engulfing large parts of Delhi-NCR in near-zero visibility conditions.According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Palam recorded peak gusts of 120kmph between 6.50pm and 6.52pm, matching the station’s highest wind speed recorded since 2001. The last comparable reading at Palam was also 120kmph in June 2001. Other stations reported equally strong winds, including Pusa (80kmph), Safdarjung (64kmph), Jafarpur (59kmph), Chhattarpur (56kmph), Pitampura (35kmph), Lodi Road (31kmph), Janakpuri (30kmph), and Mayur Vihar (13kmph).Temperatures remained unusually high even during the storm. The Ridge recorded the city’s highest maximum at 44.7°C, followed by Lodi Road at 44°C, Palam at 43.8°C, Ayanagar at 43.6°C, and Safdarjung at 43.5°C, all significantly above normal levels.Despite the extreme heat, the storm brought sudden and intense weather activity across the region. Dust clouds, strong gusts and lightning were followed by spells of heavy rain in several parts of Delhi-NCR, offering brief relief from the oppressive conditions.The impact on air traffic was significant. According to FlightRadar24, over 400 flights were delayed, while at least two flights were diverted as strong winds and low visibility disrupted operations at Delhi airport. The storm also caused temporary chaos at road level, with visibility dropping sharply and traffic movement slowing across major corridors.The IMD issued red and orange alerts across different parts of the capital. Red alert zones warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, moderate rain, and wind speeds of 60–80kmph gusting up to 90 kmph, while orange alert areas—covering parts of outer north, northwest and northeast Delhi—saw warnings for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40–50kmph, locally higher.Officials said the storm was triggered by a cyclonic circulation over central Pakistan and adjoining Rajasthan, supported by a trough extending towards Delhi, creating highly unstable atmospheric conditions that fuelled the dust storm and thunderstorm activity.In a tragic incident, the storm claimed a life in Haryana’s Nuh district, where an 18-year-old Class 12 student died after a tin sheet uprooted by powerful gusts struck him in the neck while he was sitting in the verandah of his house. He was rushed to hospital but was declared dead, with officials confirming severe injuries caused by flying metal debris during the storm.Private meteorologist Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather said similar conditions are likely to continue, with scattered thunderstorms and gusty winds expected on Wednesday as well. He added that pre-monsoon activity is set to intensify from June 11 onwards, marking a major shift in North India’s weather pattern.The IMD has forecast that a fresh Western Disturbance will impact the western Himalayan region from June 11, bringing widespread rainfall across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan between June 10 and June 14. Isolated to scattered rainfall is also expected in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.Thunderstorms, lightning and squalls with wind speeds of 50–60kmph are likely across several states on June 11–12, while isolated hailstorms may occur in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand, with similar risks extending to parts of Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi.The IMD also warned of sharp temperature fluctuations. Maximum temperatures may rise slightly before falling sharply by 7–8°C from June 12, with Delhi expected to dip below the 40°C mark thereafter, bringing much-needed relief from the ongoing heatwave.As the capital braces for more unstable weather in the coming days, authorities have urged residents to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid open areas and follow official weather updates closely.(With agency inputs)
