New Delhi experienced a sudden and severe dust storm on Friday evening, April 11, 2025, which brought not only a sharp drop in temperatures but also extensive damage across the National Capital Region (NCR). The storm uprooted trees, disrupted power supply, and caused significant chaos at airports, with over 200 flights delayed or diverted.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that temperatures plummeted by as much as 10 degrees Celsius at Palam and 7 degrees Celsius at the Safdarjung weather station due to the storm. The maximum temperature prior to the storm was recorded at 35.8 degrees Celsius, a slight decrease from the previous day’s 39.6 degrees Celsius, while the minimum settled at 22.8 degrees Celsius, which was 1.8 notches above normal.
As the storm swept through, civic authorities received more than 20 calls regarding uprooted trees in various areas, including Feroz Shah Road, Ashoka Road, Mandi House, and Connaught Place. This led to traffic congestion and hazardous conditions on the roads. An electric pole fell at ITO, further complicating the situation.
Power disruptions were reported in several parts of North Delhi, including Narela, Bawana, Badli, and Mangolpuri, due to fallen branches and debris damaging power lines. The Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited spokesperson confirmed that maintenance teams were mobilized to restore power as quickly as possible. Most areas had their electricity supply restored promptly, although some locations faced delays due to safety concerns.
The IMD issued an orange alert, advising residents to stay indoors, secure their homes, and avoid unnecessary travel. The alert warned of potential injuries from loose objects and the risk of damage to vulnerable structures. Residents were advised to unplug electrical appliances and seek shelter away from trees and concrete surfaces.
Reports of injuries emerged following the storm. Tragically, a 67-year-old man named Chander Pal was killed when heavy construction materials fell on him from a building in Chander Vihar. Another individual, Rajbir, a 38-year-old nurse, was also injured in the incident. Additionally, a 13-year-old boy sustained injuries when a newly constructed balcony collapsed in the Karol Bagh area due to the storm.
In Gurugram, two people were injured when a large pillar signage fell on their car on the Dwarka Expressway. Passersby rushed to help, and the injured were taken to the hospital. The storm caused severe traffic jams across major routes, including the Dwarka Expressway, NH-48, and the Kundli–Manesar–Palwal Expressway, as multiple incidents of fallen trees and hoardings were reported.
At Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, the storm wreaked havoc on flight schedules, with around 200 flights delayed and approximately 25 flights diverted to nearby airports. Passengers expressed frustration over the chaotic situation, with some describing it as a “stampede-like” environment due to the lack of information and assistance from airline staff.
“Extremely saddened to witness the state at Delhi airport. Full chaos, stampede-like situation, flights delayed by hours and hours, staff is clueless about what’s happening,” tweeted a passenger, highlighting the distress many faced during the storm.
Despite the chaos, the storm did bring some relief from the oppressive heat that had gripped the city earlier in the week. The air quality in Delhi improved slightly, shifting from the ‘poor’ to the ‘moderate’ category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 164 in the afternoon, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
The IMD has forecasted that thunderstorms and rain will continue into Saturday, April 12, 2025, with maximum temperatures expected to hover around 35 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures dropping to about 20 degrees Celsius. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and heed weather advisories.
In summary, the sudden dust storm that struck Delhi-NCR on April 11, 2025, has left a trail of destruction and chaos, affecting many lives and disrupting essential services. Authorities are working diligently to address the aftermath, but the storm's impact will be felt for days to come.
