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A sudden dust storm, accompanied by strong winds and rain, swept across Delhi on Monday afternoon, prompting the IMD to issue a red alert for severe weather
conditions across the national capital. Delhi witnessed a dramatic change in weather on Monday afternoon as a powerful dust storm, accompanied by strong winds and light rainfall, swept across several parts of the national capital, leading the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert.
IMD Issues Red Alert Across Delhi
According to the IMD, a dust storm followed by thunderstorms, light to moderate rainfall and lightning is very likely to occur across the entire city. The department said wind speeds could reach between 70 and 90 kmph in some areas.
At Palam weather station, winds touched 50 knots, or around 92 kmph, at 2.30 pm, indicating the intensity of the weather system moving over Delhi. The IMD has advised people to stay indoors whenever possible, avoid taking shelter under trees and remain alert while travelling.
Several Areas Likely to Receive More Rain
The weather department said many parts of Delhi are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds ranging from 60 to 70 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 80 kmph.
The city had already experienced light rainfall during the morning hours before weather conditions worsened in the afternoon. Weather experts attributed the sudden shift to a western disturbance currently affecting the Himalayan region.
A western disturbance is a weather system that originates outside India and often brings rain, thunderstorms and cooler temperatures to northwestern parts of the country. Experts said its influence is expected to weaken from Tuesday onwards. As a result, temperatures are likely to climb again after the brief spell of relief.
Despite the rain and strong winds, Delhi began the day on a warm note. Safdarjung, the city's primary weather station, recorded a minimum temperature of 28.2 degrees Celsius, which was 0.7 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average.
Meteorologists said the current weather activity may provide temporary relief from the heat, but hot conditions are expected to return once the western disturbance moves away.
(With Inputs from PTI)
