For the second consecutive day, strong dust storms swept
across Delhi and its neighboring regions on Friday evening, causing temporary
disruptions and raising concerns about air quality amid an ongoing heatwave in
the capital.
Areas including Noida and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh
experienced similar weather conditions, with sudden gusts of dusty winds
leading to poor visibility and minor damages such as fallen tree branches.
Several neighborhoods also reported power outages as the high-speed winds
affected electricity infrastructure.
Weather Disruptions and Damages
While there were no reports of severe damage or injuries,
the storm led to brief chaos on the roads as commuters were caught off guard.
Many residents shared visuals of dark skies, billowing dust, and trees swaying
violently under the wind's force.
According to local reports, branches fell in several parts
of the city, adding to traffic snarls during the evening rush hour. Emergency
services were on alert, although no major incidents were reported.
Temperature and Rainfall Update
The dust storm was accompanied by light rain and overcast
skies in several areas, which helped bring some relief from the sweltering
temperatures that have gripped the city over the past week.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 5.0 mm
rainfall in Mayur Vihar and 1.0 mm in Pritampura over the 24-hour period ending
at 8:30 AM on Friday. The Safdarjung weather station—Delhi's primary monitoring
point—reported only a trace of rainfall. The relative humidity at the same time
stood at 68%, suggesting high moisture levels in the atmosphere.
The minimum temperature in the city on Friday settled at 22.8°C,
which is about 1.8 degrees above the seasonal average. However, the brief
spells of drizzle and cloud cover helped keep the mercury in check, with the
maximum temperature expected to remain around 37°C, offering some
respite from the peak heat.
Heatwave and Air Quality Concerns
Earlier in the week, Delhi witnessed extreme weather
conditions, with the maximum temperature touching 40°C for the first
time this season. The heatwave persisted for three days, peaking on Monday.
Wednesday night was recorded as the city’s warmest April night in the past
three years, with minimum temperatures not dropping below 25.9°C.
Dust storms and dry heat also impacted Delhi’s air quality.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality
Index (AQI) at 9:00 AM on Friday was 172, which falls under the moderate
category. However, with the dust storm and reduced rainfall, experts fear that
the air quality may deteriorate further over the weekend.
IMD’s Forecast
The IMD had earlier issued an alert for thunderstorms,
gusty winds, and light rainfall in parts of Delhi and NCR. While the light
rain has cooled temperatures temporarily, more instability is expected due to
the clash between hot air masses and incoming moisture from the western
disturbances.
Citizens are advised to stay indoors during peak storm
hours, avoid parking vehicles under trees, and secure loose objects that may be
carried away by strong winds.
Conclusion
As the city battles a mix of heatwave, sudden dust storms,
and fluctuating weather, residents are urged to take necessary precautions. The
IMD continues to monitor developments closely and has urged people to stay
updated with local weather bulletins.