Delhi Faces Heat and Storm in a Single Day
Delhi witnessed extreme weather on Wednesday, swinging from intense heat in the afternoon to a deadly storm in the evening. The day began with scorching temperatures and a “real feel” of over 50°C due to high heat and humidity. But by 8pm, strong winds and a thunderstorm struck the city, bringing chaos, destruction, and loss of life.
Storm Hits with Winds at 80 km/hr
The sudden storm, driven by a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and an east-west trough, brought heavy rain, hailstones, and strong winds up to 80 km/hr. Trees were uprooted, power lines snapped, flights were delayed, and metro services were disrupted. Many areas were left without electricity, including Bawana, Civil Lines, Model Town, and others.
Two Lives Lost in Storm
Tragedy struck as two people lost their lives due to falling objects. A wheelchair-bound man died after an electric pole fell on him near Lodhi Road. In Gokalpuri, a 22-year-old biker named Md Azhar died after a tree collapsed on him. Another man was injured when a juice stall’s roof collapsed in Kashmere Gate.
Transport and Flights Affected
The storm caused major traffic jams in areas like Connaught Place, ITO, and Akbar Road. At least 12 flights were diverted, and over 50 were delayed. Metro services on the Red, Yellow, and Pink Lines were temporarily affected due to damage to overhead equipment but resumed by 11pm.
Rain Brings Relief from Heat
The temperature dropped sharply during the storm, from 37°C to 23°C at Palam. Rainfall totals included 13.5mm at Mayur Vihar and 12.1mm at Safdarjung.
Air Quality Remains Poor
Earlier in the day, the Commission for Air Quality Management activated Stage-1 of the Graded Response Action Plan due to poor air quality (AQI at 213). Measures include water sprinkling and stricter dust control.
IMD Issues Yellow Alert
The weather department has issued a yellow alert for Thursday and Friday, warning of continued heat and possible strong winds and thunderstorms on Friday.