Severe dust storm hits Delhi; IGI Airport flight operations suspended
A powerful dust storm on Wednesday evening hit Delhi, which has been witnessing severe heatwave conditions over the last few days. After the severe dust storm struck the national capital, flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport have been suspended temporarily; many flights were either delayed or diverted. Rain and thundershowers are also expected in Delhi-NCR later today, said Skymet Weather. Here's more.
Dust storm brings down temperature in Delhi
The dust storm has brought down the national capital, which had witnessed a temperature of 48 degrees Celsius on Monday - the highest-ever temperature it witnessed in June. The India Meteorological Department had yesterday said that temperatures were expected to fall in Delhi. Skymet Weather had also predicted that heavy rain was likely to hit Delhi-NCR.
Intense rains ahead, heavy showers in some parts: Skymet Weather
Fall of 2-3 degrees in all North Indian states: Official
A senior MeT department official said, "Earlier, the wind used to come from the western side of Rajasthan. However, the direction of the wind has changed. As a result, we have witnessed a temperature fall of two-three degrees in all the North Indian states." "It is expected to continue for the next three days...there will be a full respite to the heatwave...," he added.
Temperature in national capital dropped by 7 degrees: Skymet official
Meanwhile, Skymet Weather's Vice-President, Mahesh Palawat, said that due to the dust storm, the temperature in the national capital has dropped by as much as 7 degrees Celsius in just half an hour. He tweeted, "At 18.30 it was 40 [degrees], dropped to 33 degree at 19.00 hours. All thanks to #Duststorm and #rain."
Here's what Palawat tweeted about the temperature dropping
Impact of Cyclone Vayu on the weather conditions
Another senior weather department official said that Cyclone Vayu, which is expected to make a landfall in Gujarat on Thursday, could reduce the temperature in the northern region. "...Just the way Delhi is getting affected by the western disturbances, Cyclone Vayu will have an impact on the weather conditions. However, a dust storm or thunderstorm can be predicted in the upcoming days," he said.
Delhi-NCR to wtiness rain and thundershowers again on June 15-16
Skymet Weather said rain and thundershowers would lower the night temperature on Wednesday in Delhi-NCR. However, from Thursday, temperatures might increase marginally; but no sudden spike is likely. The private weather agency added that heatwave conditions aren't going to make a comeback. Again on June 15-16, Delhi-NCR might witness a fresh spell of rain and thundershowers due to fresh western disturbances, it said.
