New Delhi: The weather in Delhi-NCR took a dramatic turn on Wednesday evening as strong dust-laden winds followed by heavy rain and hailstorm hit several parts of the region. The sudden downpour brought much-needed relief from the intense summer heat, but also led to power outages, traffic snarls, and waterlogging in many areas.
Hail and Heavy Winds Disrupt Daily Life
The unexpected weather change saw hailstones pelting down in some locations, while trees were uprooted and streets quickly flooded due to poor drainage. As visibility dropped and roads became slippery, vehicular movement was severely affected. In several neighbourhoods, power supply was interrupted due to high wind speeds.
People caught in the open were seen running for cover, shielding themselves from both the rain and hail. The downpour was accompanied by winds gusting at speeds of 30–40 km/h, temporarily touching up to 50 km/h, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Forecast Matches Reality
The IMD had already issued a forecast warning of rainfall between May 19 and May 24, predicting partly cloudy skies, light to moderate rain, and gusty winds during this period. Wednesday’s weather matched the forecast precisely, offering a welcome respite from the searing heat of May.
