A powerful dust storm swept across Delhi and adjoining regions on Friday evening, claiming one life and injuring several others, while disrupting flight operations and causing power outages. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the national capital and its surrounding districts, warning of continued adverse weather conditions.
The storm, accompanied by high-speed winds and flying debris, led to the collapse of a wall at an under-construction building in Delhi’s Madhu Vihar area. Police confirmed that one person died and two others sustained injuries in the incident. “Around 7 pm, we received a PCR call about the collapse. One person died and two were taken to the hospital with injuries. The collapse occurred due to the dust storm,” said ADCP Vineet Kumar.
Flights Delayed, Traffic Hit
Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport were temporarily affected, with several flights being delayed and some diverted. Meanwhile, traffic in key areas such as ITO faced disruptions as electric poles fell and visibility dropped due to dust.
Storm Impact Spreads to Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram
Neighbouring areas including Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram also bore the brunt of the dust storm. In Gurugram, a signboard collapsed on a car on the Dwarka Expressway, injuring two people. Authorities rushed to the site to clear the damaged vehicle and debris.
In another incident in Delhi’s Chander Vihar area, construction material fell from the roof of a building, injuring at least three individuals. The Delhi Fire Services received a call at 7:27 pm and dispatched three teams to the site. “We have secured the site. Construction work was underway to build a sixth floor on a five-storey structure,” said a senior police officer.
Weather Update and Forecast
Earlier in the day, Delhi experienced a cloudy sky and sporadic light drizzle, with the minimum temperature recorded at 22.8°C — 1.8 degrees above normal. Rainfall recorded in Mayur Vihar was 5.0 mm, while other areas like Pritampura received 1.0 mm, according to the IMD.
The maximum temperature was expected to hover around 37°C, offering some respite from the severe heatwave that saw temperatures soar past 40°C earlier this week. On Monday, Delhi recorded its highest temperature of the season, and on Wednesday, the city experienced its warmest night in three years with a minimum temperature of 25.9°C.
Air Quality Status
Despite the dust storm, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘moderate’ category with an AQI of 172 as recorded at 9 am.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as residents are advised to stay indoors and take necessary precautions. Further rain and thunderstorms are expected in the coming days, which may help clear the dust but could also bring additional challenges.
Sources By Agencies
