The sudden spell of rain and thunderstorms in Delhi-NCR on Thursday came as a much-needed breather from the relentless heat, but it also brought with it a dramatic shift in the atmosphere—literally. The evening dust storm, which swept across major parts of the capital, transformed the skyline into a scene straight out of a dystopian film, with plummeting visibility and rumbling skies.
Several key areas—like Kartavya Path, Delhi University, and the Red Fort—were soaked in moderate rain, while gusty winds lashed Noida and Ghaziabad. The India Meteorological Department’s prediction for continued rainfall on Friday, coupled with lightning and wind gusts up to 40 kmph, suggests this weather twist isn’t over yet. The yellow alert is a heads-up for residents to stay prepared.
Interestingly, this sudden weather change comes right after Delhi recorded its warmest April night in recent years, with a minimum temperature of 25.9°C—an anomaly given that April nights hadn’t crossed 25°C in either 2023 or 2024 until now. It’s another sign of the increasingly erratic weather patterns that have been affecting the region.
Despite the showers, the city’s air quality is still far from ideal. The AQI of 243 falls in the ‘poor’ category, meaning the rain hasn’t yet managed to significantly wash away the pollutants. However, if precipitation continues as forecast, there may be gradual improvement in the coming days.
Delhiites might get some temporary relief from the heat, but it’s a classic case of “wait and watch”—especially with the dust, heat, and pollution all playing their part.
