New Delhi: A high-velocity dust storm hit the National Capital Region on Sunday evening. Dust storms were also reported in areas of East Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon.
Last week, at least 124 people were killed – and more than 300 others injured – in five states due to dust storms, thunderstorms and lightning.
Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport have been put on hold, news agency ANI reported. At least 10 flights have been diverted. Vistara’s Srinagar flight to Delhi has been diverted to Amritsar following bad weather conditions in Delhi.
Metro movement at the Noida Dwaraka line was stalled for 30 minutes due to bad weather conditions. The movement has now resumed.
Around 5 in the evening, when the summer sun remains high, skies turned inky and visibility plummeted. A strong wind picked up, crashing through trees and turning the air a murky brown. The drizzle started soon after.
In open areas, people could be seen running for shelter. Shoppers at crowded markets were taken by surprise as the sudden wind hit light structures.
At bus stops in south Delhi, people were seen huddling together to protect themselves as branches of overhead trees broke.
The dust storm interrupted a programme Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was to attend in east Delhi’s IP Extension.
