A fierce dust storm coupled with heavy rain and gusty winds swept through parts of Delhi-NCR during the evening hours of Friday, toppling trees, destroying property, and causing traffic disruptions in several areas of the national capital.
Residents used social media to share intense images of the storm outside their houses. One resident reported as follows, “My building is literally shaking right now. 20th floor, lights swinging, gusty wind outside in Delhi NCR. Wind is so strong the whole building is shaking. Lights in my flat are swinging like a pendulum. Feels like a 20-minute earthquake. I feel like puking. Can’t even think of using the lift and go out!”
Others took pictures of darkened skies, strong winds ripping through trees, and significantly low visibility. Trees fell on cars and a number of signboards came crashing down in the mayhem.
Flights Diverted Due to Turbulence
Flight services were hit as well, with over 15 flights redirected from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. A passenger from an IndiGo flight flying in from Jammu shared shaky footage from onboard, describing heavy turbulence and multiple diversions.
Flight Indigo 6E2397 jammu To delhi experiencing a dust storm, affecting takeoffs and landings and potentially causing air traffic congestion at delhi airport we are diverted to jaipur after long 4 hrs waiting to land at delhi now waiting in aircraft at jaipur airport for… pic.twitter.com/2GDeO19UK1
— Dr. Safeer Choudhary (@aapkasafeer) April 11, 2025
As per statistics from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), gusts of wind reached 74 kmph at IGI Airport, 70 kmph at Pragati Maidan, and 69 kmph near the Lodhi Road area. Other places such as Najafgarh and Safdarjung saw winds of 37 to 56 kmph.
A video uploaded by a user from Gurgaon said, “Dust storm in Gurgaon. It was like apocalypse.”
Dust storm in Gurgaon. It was like apocalypse.pic.twitter.com/f6I1HjaH0s
— Tarun 𝕏 (@AsTarunTweets) April 11, 2025
The IMD has predicted further thunderstorms with rain for Saturday. There will be temperatures in the range of moderate to around 35°C and just below 20°C. The clearer skies, from Sunday and thereafter, can be expected again in the Delhi-NCR belt.
