Massive Dust Storm Batters Delhi-NCR, Brings Power Outages, Hailstorm & Metro Disruptions
A fierce dust storm followed by torrential rain and hail lashed Delhi-NCR on Wednesday evening, causing major disruptions in power supply, traffic, and public transport. The sudden storm struck around 8 PM, leading to widespread panic, infrastructure damage, and prolonged metro delays.
Strong winds carrying thick dust clouds drastically reduced visibility across the region. Minutes later, intense hail and rain battered Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, and parts of Delhi, leading to roadblocks, power cuts, and transport paralysis.
Power outages were reported in multiple areas of Delhi-NCR as storm winds brought down electric lines and trees. Areas in Noida and East Delhi remained in the dark for hours. In South and Central Delhi, multiple overhead electric (OHE) faults disrupted power and metro connectivity.
Traffic came to a standstill on key routes, including the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, DND Flyway, and Kalindi Kunj, as fallen trees and waterlogging blocked movement. Visuals from Copernicus Marg showed a large tree falling on a parked car—fortunately, the driver escaped unhurt.
The Delhi Metro faced major service interruptions, particularly on the Red, Yellow, and Pink Lines, due to fallen debris and damage to OHE systems.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) confirmed temporary halts at multiple stations including Shaheed Nagar, Jahangirpuri, and Nizamuddin. Passengers at Mayur Vihar Phase 1 reported waiting over 30 minutes as station platforms overflowed with crowds.
While Pink Line services resumed by 9:18 PM, technical teams were deployed through the night to restore full operations on other lines.
In several areas, banners, signage, and boards collapsed under strong wind pressure. The iconic Noida Welcome Board was blown over, and visuals from across the city showed mangled trees and electric poles lying on roadsides.
The sudden weather change caused panic among residents and commuters. Videos on social media showed hail pounding rooftops, cars, and roads, especially in Noida and East Delhi.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a warning for thunderstorms and rain over Delhi-NCR earlier in the day. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) said it is assessing damages and will coordinate cleanup and repair efforts across the capital.
In a statement, a senior AAI official said, “Strong convective activity led to the dust storm and hail. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far.”
