Delhi-NCR dust storm havoc caught on camera: Noida society gate collapses, trees uprooted, cars crushed

A fierce and fast-moving dust storm followed by a thunderstorm, heavy rainfall and hail swept through Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Wednesday evening, bringing the city to a temporary standstill.

The intense weather disrupted normal life across Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad and neighbouring areas. Several parts of Noida and Greater Noida reported power outages and falling debris. Visuals shared online showed trees uprooted, signboards and electric poles toppled and widespread waterlogging.

VIDEO | Delhi-NCR witnessed dust storm on Wednesday evening, followed by rain and hailstorms. Tree falls were reported across the city. A neem tree fell near Kanchan Apartment in Gita Colony, Shahdara. No casualties reported.#DelhiRains
(Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/TAKEjF12FC Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 22, 2025

"Dust storm with windspeed upto 80 kmph recorded over Delhi. Moderate to light rainfall is expected for the next hour. Hail is being reported in multiple areas,” India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials stated, quoted by ABP.

In Greater Noida West, the storm also damaged a shuttering structure from an under-construction CRC project near Galaxy Vega, crushing several parked cars in an open parking area.
A particularly alarming incident occurred at the Apex Golf Avenue society in Greater Noida West, where the main gate crashed down due to the intense wind and rain. A video of the incident went viral, showing debris scattered across the society’s entrance. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, as per FJP.

Greater Noida West: The main gate of Apex Golf Avenue society collapsed during todays rain and storm. pic.twitter.com/tIUSFwInSD Greater Noida West (@GreaterNoidaW) May 21, 2025

On the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, a signage board collapsed near Sector 145, while another signage near Gaur Chowk in Greater Noida West was brought down by the wind. In Supertech EcoVillage 2, the force of the storm broke a balcony gate and window, but residents escaped unharmed, ABP reported.

Uprooted trees, fallen hoardings and disrupted traffic were reported across the NCR. In Saharanpur, the storm took a tragic turn, with two people reportedly killed due to lightning strikes, according to media reports.

#WATCH | Delhi: Some flights delayed as Delhi received gusty winds, heavy rainfall and hailstorm. Visuals from Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. pic.twitter.com/GzNEcv1RwR
ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2025

#WATCH | Delhi: Some flights delayed as Delhi received gusty winds, heavy rainfall and hailstorm. Visuals from Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. pic.twitter.com/GzNEcv1RwR ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2025

Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport were also hit. Poor visibility and high-speed winds led to delays, affecting both arrivals and departures on one of the country’s busiest aviation hubs.

Metro services were also affected. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) issued a statement confirming that strong winds and external debris had damaged Overhead Equipment (OHE) in some sections, leading to disruption on the Red, Yellow and Pink Lines.