Severe Dust Storm Wreaks Havoc in Greater Noida; Shatters Doors, Windows
A powerful dust storm hit Greater Noida, causing extensive damage to residential buildings, shattering windows, tearing off doors, and toppling air conditioners.
A sudden and intense dust storm swept across Delhi-NCR on Friday evening, unleashing chaos and destruction in parts of Noida, Greater Noida, and surrounding regions. The storm, characterized by high-speed winds and dense dust clouds, left a trail of destruction in its wake, shattering windows, collapsing doors, and toppling air conditioner units in residential societies.
One of the hardest-hit locations was JP Aman Society in Sector 151, Noida. Witnesses described scenes of destruction, with "windows shattered, doors collapsed, and air conditioner units torn from their mounts" as the powerful gusts battered the buildings. A widely circulated video captured the extent of the storm’s fury, showing a shop near the society being blown away "like a house of cards" amid near-zero visibility caused by swirling dust.
Residents expressed their anger, with many blaming poor construction for the severe damage. "Watch the devastation caused by the storm in Noida. This video is from JP Aman Society, where even the windows and doors of the flats were torn off. Homebuyers are furious, alleging extremely poor construction quality in the building of these flats," said Kunal Verma, a resident.
The impact extended beyond Noida, reaching Greater Noida’s Jewar area, where villages like Salarpur, Atta Gujran, Kanarsi, Junedpur, and Bilaspur reported extensive damage. Trees and electricity poles were uprooted, causing power outages and traffic disruptions along major routes, including the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, until emergency teams managed to clear the roads.
Delhi’s Power Demand Hits Seasonal Peak
Despite the cooler weather brought on by the storm, Delhi’s power demand surged to its highest peak of the summer, reaching 6,867 MW on Friday afternoon, according to the State Load Dispatch Centre. Officials anticipate this figure could surpass 9,000 MW in the coming weeks, potentially breaking last year’s record of 8,656 MW.
More Rain Forecast in the Coming Days
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast further thunderstorms and strong winds for Saturday, with relief expected from May 19 to 22. Daytime temperatures are expected to range between 25°C and 38°C, providing some respite from the recent heat and high pollution levels.
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