New Delhi sources stated that powerful dust storm accompanied by rains on Sunday evening brought down the temperature in the national capital and adjoining areas, seriously disrupting air traffic and Metro services. The officials said as the storm blew at a highest speed of 70 kmph, mercury fell from 39 degrees Celsius at 4 p.m. to 25 degrees half hour later. The Indian Meteorological Department told by early evening, the skies had turned dark. Meanwhile ten incoming flights to the Indira Gandhi International Airport were diverted between 4.15 and 5.30 p.m. due to poor visibility and strong winds.
Moreover the Delhi Metro operations were also hit; further thousands of commuters were stuck on the winding and busy Blue Line, which links Dwarka in northwest Delhi to Noida and Vaishali in Uttar Pradesh, for almost 45 minutes. Furthermore when the Metro services resumed, the trains plied at halting speed. Media reports that the rains and storm brought down trees and tree branches in some areas and led to traffic snarls, forcing two-wheeler drivers to take shelter under bridges and flyovers.
Further the motorists switched on headlights to find their way in the
enveloping darkness, but the dramatic change in weather did bring respite to
residents from the sweltering heat. Accordingly the Met department has forecast
rain and thunderstorm with gusty wind towards the end of the day.
