New Delhi, May 2, 2025 —
A severe storm swept through Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) on Thursday evening, leaving four people dead and causing widespread disruption. High-velocity winds, heavy rainfall, and dust storms battered the region for over an hour, triggering flight delays, road accidents, fallen trees, power outages, and metro service interruptions.
Human Toll: Lives Lost to Nature’s Fury
Among the four confirmed fatalities, one woman in East Delhi’s Pandav Nagar died after being struck by a large tree branch during the storm. In a separate tragic incident, a 19-year-old boy was fatally injured by falling debris from a partially collapsed wall in the Jaitpur area of South Delhi.
Authorities also confirmed a particularly heartbreaking incident in which a tree fell onto a makeshift structure in an informal settlement, killing a man, woman, and child sleeping inside. Another occupant was seriously injured and is currently undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital.
Municipal officials have said compensation for the families of the deceased will be provided as per disaster management policies.
Meteorological Snapshot: Record Winds and Rare May Rain
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that winds during the storm reached 100 kilometers per hour in some pockets of Delhi-NCR. Accompanied by lightning and intense rain, the storm caused a sharp and sudden temperature drop — from 40.6°C in the afternoon to 25.2°C by 7 PM.
According to IMD officials, it was the strongest dust storm Delhi has witnessed in May since 2021. “The system developed rapidly and intensified due to moisture incursion from the western disturbances and high surface temperatures,” said IMD scientist Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.
Air Travel Chaos: Over 200 Flights Delayed
The worst-hit transportation sector was air travel. Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport saw more than 200 departures and arrivals delayed between 6 PM and midnight. The storm led to low visibility, making landings unsafe.
Several flights were diverted to nearby cities like Jaipur, Lucknow, and Amritsar, while at least 15 flights were temporarily grounded on the tarmac due to gusty crosswinds. Many domestic and international passengers were left stranded for hours inside terminals, with some venting frustration on social media over the lack of timely updates from airlines.
Airline operators said that flight operations resumed gradually around midnight after visibility and wind conditions stabilized.
Metro Services Disrupted
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) confirmed that services on the Blue Line (Dwarka-Noida/Vaishali) and Violet Line (Kashmere Gate–Raja Nahar Singh) were temporarily suspended after fallen trees damaged overhead electrical wires and obstructed the tracks.
Passengers were stranded at multiple metro stations as DMRC personnel worked with local authorities to clear the tracks and restore services. Normal operations resumed after approximately two hours.
Increased road traffic due to the metro halt led to congestion on several arterial roads, including the Ring Road, NH-48, and Vikas Marg.
Citywide Power and Infrastructure Damage
The storm caused large-scale damage to power lines and infrastructure across Delhi. Power cuts were reported in several areas including Defence Colony, Malviya Nagar, Munirka, and Rohini.
The NDMC and SDMC reported over 300 complaints of uprooted trees, fallen poles, broken hoardings, and collapsed construction scaffolding. Emergency teams from the Fire Department and municipal agencies were dispatched throughout the night to address safety hazards and clear road blockages.
Visuals circulating on social media showed trees crushing cars, debris flying through the air, and flooded intersections. Schools remained open on Friday, but several advised parents to take caution while commuting.
Emergency Response and Political Reactions
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed condolences to the bereaved families and visited some of the affected areas early Friday morning. “This was an unfortunate and unexpected weather event. Our city agencies are on high alert and working round the clock to restore normalcy,” she stated during a press conference.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has issued a public advisory asking residents to stay indoors during such weather alerts, avoid parking vehicles under trees, and report any infrastructure damage through the city helpline 1076.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia acknowledged the disruption at IGI Airport and said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is reviewing the response mechanisms to extreme weather events.
Climate Experts Weigh In
Climate scientists and environmentalists have linked the increasing frequency of such sudden and violent storms in Delhi to broader climatic shifts. Dr. Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, said that “Delhi’s increasing heat islands, air pollution levels, and irregular western disturbances are creating volatile conditions that allow such intense storms to develop.”
Recent weather patterns across North India — including unseasonal rain, hailstorms, and erratic temperature fluctuations — point to growing climate variability, and experts are urging better urban resilience planning.
Residents Share Their Experience
“I was driving home from Gurgaon when the storm hit — trees were falling left and right, and it was hard to see the road. I had to stop and wait under a flyover for safety,” said Meena Batra, a resident of South Delhi.
Others described how window panes shattered and unsecured balcony items were blown away by the wind. Some reported water seepage and flooded basements due to clogged drains.
Residents across the NCR, including Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram, reported similar conditions.