1 Dead, 15 Flights Diverted As Dust Storm Batters Delhi-NCR; IMD Predicts Rain & Thunderstorms Today
A dust storm swept through Delhi-NCR, killing one. Construction material falling from a building during the storm resulted in the fatality. Flights were diverted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
A powerful dust storm swept through Delhi-NCR on Friday evening, leaving one person dead, several injured, and causing widespread disruption in the national capital and neighbouring regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert, warning of adverse weather conditions including thunderstorms, gusty winds, and potential damage to property and vegetation.
VIDEO | Delhi witnesses sudden weather change as dust storm hits parts of city. Visuals from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium area.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 11, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC)#Delhi #DelhiWeather pic.twitter.com/1BIe21EgFm
A 67-year-old man lost his life and another sustained serious injuries in the Chander Vihar area of Delhi after construction material fell from the roof of a five-storey building amid the storm, news agency PTI reported. According to the police, the incident occurred around 6:30 pm when material from the rooftop—where a person named Manav was reportedly constructing a sixth floor—fell onto the adjacent road.
Two individuals were injured in the incident and rushed to Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Hospital, where Chander Pal (67) was declared brought dead. The injured person has been identified as Rajbir (38), a nurse at GTB Hospital, who is currently undergoing treatment. While some eyewitnesses claimed that another individual was also injured, the police have yet to confirm it.
VIDEO | Here's what Addl. DCP East Vineet Kumar said on construction material falling on people from the roof of a house in Delhi's Chander Vihar area following a dust storm.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 11, 2025
"Around 7 pm, we received a call informing us about the collapse. Upon reaching the spot, we found that… pic.twitter.com/ZET6yoCBAe
The Delhi Fire Services received a distress call at 7:27 pm and dispatched three teams to the site. “We have secured the site. Construction work was going on to build a sixth floor on the five-storey building. We have sent the injured to the hospital. Further legal proceedings are underway,” a senior police officer said, as per PTI.
Trees were uprooted in Delhi due to strong winds as the national capital witnessed a sudden weather change.
VIDEO | Trees uprooted in Delhi due to strong winds as national capital witnesses sudden weather change.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 11, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/ov2qwkZyuj
15 Flights Diverted As Dust Storm Batters Delhi-NCR: Report
The severe weather also wreaked havoc at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, where at least 15 flights were diverted and several others delayed due to dust storms and high-velocity winds, according to airport sources cited by news agency ANI.
Air India issued a travel advisory for passengers, noting that thunderstorms and gusty winds had impacted flight operations across parts of northern India. “Poor weather, caused by heavy thunderstorms and gusty winds, has affected flight operations across parts of Northern India. Some of our flights to and from Delhi are being delayed or diverted, which is likely to impact our overall flight schedule. We are closely monitoring the situation and are doing our best to minimise the disruption,” the airline stated. Passengers were advised to check flight status on Air India’s official website before heading to the airport.
2 Hurt As Pillar Signage Falls On Car On Dwarka Expressway Amid Storm
In Gurugram, two people were injured when a large signage pillar collapsed onto a car on the Dwarka Expressway. The car was completely damaged and the occupants, who were returning home from work, were hospitalised with injuries. According to officials, passersby helped rescue the duo from the vehicle.
The storm triggered widespread traffic congestion across key routes, including the Dwarka Expressway, NH-48, Southern Peripheral Road, Sohna Road Elevated Highway, and the Kundli–Manesar–Palwal Expressway. Multiple incidents of fallen hoardings and uprooted trees were reported from areas such as Signature Tower, Sheetla Mata Road, Sector 31, and Sector 21. A tree also fell on two cars near Sector 22, while an electric pole collapsed near a Kendriya Vidyalaya on Delhi Road, causing power outages in surrounding areas, including Sector 14, police officials said.
“The traffic police did a commendable job by removing trees and branches that had fallen on the road due to a sudden storm and ensuring smooth operation of traffic,” said a spokesperson from Gurugram Police, as per PTI.
Delhi-NCR: IMD Predicts More Rain Tomorrow
While Delhi experienced sunny conditions during the day, the sky turned cloudy by evening. The maximum temperature was recorded at 35.8°C, slightly below the seasonal average, while the minimum stood at 22.8°C, slightly above normal, according to the Met office. Humidity levels fluctuated between 69 and 61 per cent.
The IMD has predicted further thunderstorms with rain on Saturday, with the maximum temperature expected to hover around 35°C and the minimum around 20°C.
Delhi’s air quality saw a slight improvement, moving from the ‘poor’ to ‘moderate’ category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 164 at 4 pm, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
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