Freak Dust Storm Pounds Delhi-NCR: Flights Diverted, Trees Uprooted, Residents Rattled

A powerful dust storm accompanied by gusty winds and heavy rain swept through Delhi-NCR on Friday evening, bringing traffic to a grinding halt, uprooting trees, and causing chaos across the capital.

Several residents took to social media to share dramatic videos of the storm tearing through their neighborhoods. One Delhi resident, posting from the 20th floor of a high-rise, described the experience as terrifying:

“My building is literally shaking. Lights swinging like a pendulum. Feels like a 20-minute earthquake. I feel sick—there’s no way I’m using the lift to step out right now.”

The intensity of the storm grounded several flights. Over 15 flights were diverted from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, including an IndiGo flight from Jammu that faced severe turbulence after multiple diversions. A passenger onboard posted shaky footage of the aircraft as it struggled through turbulent skies.

Across the region, skies turned a menacing grey as high-speed winds ripped through trees, knocked over signboards, and reduced visibility to a blur. Videos showed massive trees toppling onto vehicles, leaving roads blocked and residents stunned.

“Dust storm in Gurgaon. It looks like the apocalypse,” read the caption of one viral video.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), wind gusts peaked at 74 kmph at IGI Airport, 70 kmph at Pragati Maidan, and 69 kmph at Lodhi Road. Wind speeds ranged between 37 to 56 kmph in other parts of Delhi, including Najafgarh and Safdarjung.

The IMD has forecast thunderstorms with rain for Saturday, with daytime temperatures expected around 35°C and a minimum of 20°C. After that, clearer skies are expected to return to the region over the following days.