Dust storm batters Delhi-NCR; one dead, flights disrupted, trees uprooted

New Delhi: A powerful dust storm accompanied by gusty winds and rain swept across Delhi-NCR on Friday evening, leading to widespread disruption in the Capital and surrounding areas. The sudden change in weather caused flight diversions, tree collapses, and structural damage, with one fatality and several injuries reported.

Authorities confirmed that a 67-year-old man, Chander Pal, lost his life when construction material fell from a building during the storm in the Chander Vihar area. The Delhi Police said the incident occurred around 6:30 pm, when debris from the roof of a five-storey building, where an illegal sixth floor was reportedly being constructed, tumbled onto the road below.

“Two persons were injured in the incident and were rushed to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital. One of them was declared dead on arrival,” a police officer stated. The other victim, identified as Rajbir (38), a nurse at GTB Hospital, is undergoing treatment.

Eyewitnesses said another person might have been injured, though police had not verified this claim at the time of reporting.

The Delhi Fire Services received a call at 7:27 pm and dispatched three teams to the site. “Our teams secured the area. Construction work was being done on top of an already completed structure. Further investigations are in progress,” a senior official from the fire department said.

Weather stations recorded significant temperature drops as the storm swept through the region. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the temperature at Palam plummeted by 10°C, while Safdarjung saw a 7°C dip. The IMD registered wind speeds up to 74 km/h at IGI Airport, 70 km/h at Pragati Maidan, and 69 km/h at Lodhi Road.

The IMD issued an orange alert, urging residents to stay indoors and secure loose objects. “Strong winds can cause damage to weak structures and uproot trees. People should avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from power lines and open areas,” the advisory stated.

The storm severely impacted flight operations at the Delhi airport, with at least 15 flights diverted due to poor visibility and strong winds. Passengers faced delays and rescheduling issues as operations were temporarily affected.

In various parts of the Capital, civic agencies were inundated with calls about fallen trees and electric poles. The Delhi Fire Services reported receiving two such calls, while the Public Works Department logged 10 complaints. The New Delhi Municipal Council alone received eight calls regarding tree collapses in areas such as Connaught Place, Jor Bagh, and Sardar Patel Marg.

Electricity supply was disrupted in several locations. Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) said that outages in North Delhi were largely due to trees or debris falling on transmission lines. “Teams were mobilised immediately, and most services have been restored,” a spokesperson said. Areas including Narela, Bawana, and Mangolpuri were among those affected.

Similarly, BSES reported rapid deployment of operations teams to restore power. “Safety was prioritised, so restoration took longer in some zones,” the company said in a statement.

In Gurugram, a massive pillar signage collapsed on a car travelling on the Dwarka Expressway, injuring two people. Police said the vehicle was severely damaged. “The occupants were returning home from work when the incident occurred. Passersby pulled them out and helped take them to the hospital,” an official from the Gurugram Police said. Their identities had not been confirmed as of Friday night.

The storm caused traffic snarls on key routes including the Dwarka Expressway, NH-48, Southern Peripheral Road, and Sohna Road Elevated Highway. Reports of uprooted trees and collapsed hoardings came in from multiple sectors, including 21, 22, and 31 in Gurugram.

A police spokesperson noted that traffic police were actively deployed to clear roads. “Officers removed trees and poles obstructing roads to maintain smooth vehicular movement,” the official said.

In Sector 14, an electric pole reportedly collapsed near a Kendriya Vidyalaya, leading to a power outage in the surrounding area.

Earlier in the day, the Capital had witnessed clear skies and sunshine. According to the weather department, the maximum temperature settled at 35.8°C, slightly below normal, while the minimum was 22.8°C, marginally above the average for this time of year. Humidity levels ranged between 61 per cent and 69 per cent.

The IMD forecast continued thunderstorms for Saturday, with light rain expected in some areas. The maximum temperature is likely to remain around 35°C, with a minimum of approximately 20°C.

Meanwhile, the Central Pollution Control Board reported an improvement in air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped from ‘poor’ to ‘moderate’, with a reading of 164 at 4 pm.