A powerful dust storm combined with heavy rainfall and strong winds swept across several cities in Rajasthan and the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), bringing life to a standstill and leaving residents stunned by the dramatic weather conditions. The storm, which darkened skies and reduced visibility to dangerous levels, was widely described on social media as “apocalypse-like.”
The severe weather affected major cities including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad. Strong winds uprooted trees, damaged vehicles, disrupted power supply, and caused traffic congestion across several urban centers. Emergency crews were deployed to clear debris and restore essential services.
In Delhi NCR, flights faced delays while road users struggled with poor visibility and waterlogged streets following intense rainfall. Videos shared online showed towering dust clouds engulfing city skylines, creating scenes rarely witnessed in the region.
According to weather officials, the storm resulted from the interaction between a western disturbance and moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea. The weather system triggered thunderstorms, lightning, dust storms, and heavy showers across northern India after weeks of scorching temperatures.
The storm also brought welcome relief from the ongoing heatwave, with temperatures dropping significantly across affected regions. Residents who had endured extreme summer conditions experienced cooler weather following the rain.
Meteorological agencies have warned that additional thunderstorms and gusty winds could impact parts of Rajasthan, Delhi NCR, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh in the coming days. Authorities have advised residents to stay alert, avoid sheltering under trees during storms, and follow weather advisories.
The unusual intensity of the storm has reignited discussions about changing weather patterns and climate-related extreme events across India, where severe storms and heatwaves have become increasingly common in recent years.
