A powerful dust storm accompanied by intense gusty winds and heavy rain swept through Delhi-NCR on Friday evening, leaving residents rattled and describing the experience as nothing short of terrifying. Many took to social media, comparing the sudden storm to an “earthquake” due to the violent shaking of buildings and swinging lights and fans.
The unanticipated storm caused widespread disruption across the capital. Traffic came to a standstill in multiple areas, trees were uprooted, and signboards were blown away. Dramatic visuals shared online showed darkened skies, drastically reduced visibility, and objects flying in the powerful winds.
“My building is literally shaking right now. I’m on the 20th floor — lights are swinging like a pendulum. It feels like a 20-minute earthquake,” one Delhi resident posted. Others described feelings of dizziness and fear as the strong winds howled through their buildings.
At Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, the chaos extended to air traffic. Over 15 flights, including an IndiGo flight from Jammu, were diverted after encountering severe turbulence. Passengers onboard described the experience as “terrifying,” sharing shaky footage from inside the cabin.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded wind speeds of up to 74 kmph at IGI Airport, 70 kmph at Pragati Maidan, and 69 kmph at Lodhi Road. The lowest wind speeds were still substantial, reaching 37 kmph in Najafgarh and 56 kmph in Safdarjung.
One video from Gurgaon was captioned, “Dust storm in Gurgaon. It looks like the apocalypse,” echoing the sentiment shared by many online.
The IMD has forecast thunderstorms with rain to continue into Saturday, with the maximum temperature expected to be around 35°C and the minimum dipping to 20°C. However, clearer skies are likely to return after Saturday, offering some relief to the region.
Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors during such weather events and avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary.
Sources By Agencies
