NEW DELHI: A sudden, widespread
dust storm
, starting around 9.45pm on Friday, caught the city off-guard. The burst was followed by short, but intense spells of strong winds and light rain. At many places, trees were uprooted, resulting in long traffic jams. At the time of going to press, Delhi Fire Services said it had received at least 50 calls about trees getting uprooted across the city.
Multiple fire tenders were rushed to the spots.
An
India Meteorological Department
official said the
wind speed
was as high as 77 kmph in some areas.
The official said there were chances of a similar storm on Saturday as well, followed by rain during night.
"It's happening under a combined impact of western disturbance, easterly wind and temperature, which forms convective clouds, leading to such strong winds," said Kuldeep Srivastava, scientist, IMD.
The department issued warning that strong winds might cause partial damage to vulnerable structures and minor damage to kutcha houses/walls and huts, along with plantation and horticulture.
"Stay indoors, close windows and doors and avoid travel, if possible...Take safe shelters; do not take shelter under trees," IMD stated.
"There is an active western disturbance, which will cause very light rain on Saturday. The intensity of rain, however, will increase by Sunday. The rain will be accompanied with gusty winds. This will bring a temporary relief for next two days. However, temperatures will begin to rise again from Monday onwards," the official said. According to IMD, the day temperature will gradually rise from Monday onwards and may reach up to 42 degrees by May 16.
On Saturday, the maximum temperature may hover around 39 degrees Celsius, while on Sunday it may be around 37 degrees Celsius.
On Friday, the maximum temperature was 39 degrees Celsius, season's normal, against 38.8 degrees Celsius a day earlier. At 40.9 degrees Celsius, Narela was the city's hottest area.
The minimum temperature was 27.7 degrees Celsius, highest of the year and three notches above normal, against 26 degrees Celsius a day earlier. The minimum temperature at 27.5 degrees Celsius on Tuesday was the second highest.
Meanwhile, the air quality continued to be in moderate zone. The air quality index, on a scale of 0 to 500, was 180 against 178 a day earlier.
"The air quality is likely to be in the moderate category from May 11 to May 13. The outlook for subsequent six days: The air quality is likely to be in moderate category... The predominant surface wind is likely to be coming from east/northeast directions in Delhi with wind speed 8-12 kmph, generally cloudy sky and very light rain/drizzle accompanied with gusty winds (speed 30-40 kmph) on May 11," stated advance air quality bulletin.
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