Delhi dust storm turns deadly, Two killed and dozens injured

A massive dust storm followed by rains struck Delhi on May 10, leaving two people dead and 23 others injured in its wake. The devastating weather event occurred amid days of scorching heat in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The impact of the storm was widespread, as the Delhi Police received 152 calls related to tree uprooting, 55 calls regarding building damage, and 202 calls about power disruptions across the city.

Late in the evening, nine flights bound for the Delhi airport were diverted due to adverse weather conditions. According to an official, some of these flights were redirected to Jaipur.

Duststorm in Delhi-NCR

In response to the dust storm, the Meteorological Department issued a cautionary advisory, advising residents to remain indoors and refrain from non-essential travel. “The India Meteorological Department (IMD) urged residents to stay indoors, secure windows and doors, and avoid unnecessary travel,” stated the advisory.

On Friday evening, Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) were hit by a massive dust storm and thunderstorm, featuring winds reaching speeds of 50-70 km/h.

“Duststorm/ 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,” the India Meteorological Department said in a post on X.

In a recent statement, the IMD said, “Dust storms, thunderstorms accompanied by rain, and gusty winds ranging from 50-70 Km/h are expected to affect the entire Delhi and NCR region, including areas such as Loni Dehat, Hindon AF Station, Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Noida, Dadri, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, Manesar, and Ballabhgarh. Additionally, regions like Gohana, Gannaur, Sonipat, Rohtak, and Kharkhoda in Haryana, along with Baraut, Bagpat, and Khekra in Uttar Pradesh, will also experience these weather conditions.”

In Dwarka, Delhi, a substantial signboard collapsed onto two vehicles, one of which was an ambulance, resulting in injuries to three individuals. The injured, comprising two occupants of the ambulance and an auto driver, were promptly transported to the hospital by Delhi Fire Service (DFS) officials.

The IMD issued an advisory concerning the dust storm, advising people to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. “Residents are urged to stay indoors, secure their windows and doors, and refrain from unnecessary travel,” the advisory stated. Additionally, the IMD advised individuals to seek safe shelters and avoid seeking cover under trees.

IMD weather Forecast

The IMD forecasts a high probability of rain on both Saturday and Sunday, with temperatures expected to range between 39 and 29 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

Regions including Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are likely to experience scattered to widespread rainfall until May 13, with isolated hailstorm activity expected in Uttarakhand during this period.

From May 9 to 13, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds.

West Bengal and Sikkim are projected to encounter widespread light to moderate rainfall until May 12, with the possibility of thunderstorms, lightning, and squally winds (40-50 kmph) in the region.

Additionally, Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand are forecasted to receive scattered to fairly widespread rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds continuing until Sunday.

The IMD further noted, “Light intensity rain or drizzle is expected over areas including Kaithal, Narwana, Rajaund, Assandh, Safidon, Barwala, Jind, Hissar, Hansi, Siwani, and Meham in Haryana, as well as Jhajjar, Bahadurgarh, and Kosli during the next 2 hours.”

The weather department also predicted light rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning also likely over south Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and west Uttar Pradesh. “Light rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms and lightning is also likely over south Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, south-east Arunachal Pradesh, south-east Assam, Manipur, south interior Karnataka and Kerala during the next 3 hours,” it added.