Dust storm, rain trigger traffic jams in Capital
A powerful dust storm swept across the national capital on Friday evening, accompanied by gusty winds, lightning and light rain. The sudden change in weather caused widespread traffic disruption, damaged vehicles and brought down trees in several parts of the city.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Delhi-NCR, cautioning residents about adverse weather condition that is expected to continue into the night.
Winds with speed ranging between 40 and 80 kmph were reported from various localities, leading to chaos on the roads. The storm triggered massive traffic jams across key areas in central and south Delhi, where fallen tree branches and poor visibility left vehicles stranded for hours.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) received at least seven official complaints of fallen trees by 9 pm. However, branches and debris were seen scattered across many more locations, especially in high-density traffic zones, disrupting normal movement and causing damage to parked vehicles.
The IMD stated that the storm was part of a broader thunder squall system affecting northern India. The department has forecast another day of thunderstorm activity with rain on Saturday, followed by a rise in temperature from Sunday. The orange alert in effect urged residents to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and secure doors and windows to prevent damage. Such weather conditions are also expected to affect plantations, horticulture and standing crops.
Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 35.8 degree Celsius, marginally below the seasonal average, while the minimum temperature stood at 22.8 degree Celsius. Humidity levels hovered between 69 and 61 per cent throughout the day. Despite the storm’s disruptive impact, it brought some relief from the recent spell of dry heat, contributing to a drop in air pollution levels. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) improved slightly from ‘poor’ to the ‘moderate’ category, clocking in 164 at 4 pm.
Looking ahead, the IMD has predicted that the maximum temperature may climb to 38 degree Celsius by Sunday. A yellow alert has been issued for April 16 and 17, with heatwave conditions likely to develop in parts of the capital and its surrounding regions.
As the city grapples with a turbulent weather pattern, residents have been urged to stay cautious and plan their commute accordingly.
Delhi