Massive storm in Delhi-NCR: Rains, strong winds, power outages reported across region

A powerful storm swept through Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Tuesday evening, bringing with it rainfall, strong winds, and widespread power outages.

Several airline carriers have also issued advisories, saying the change in weather might impact flight operations.

The MeT issued a ‘red alert’ in several districts with predictions of light to moderate rain accompanied with thunderstorm, dust storms and gusty winds. As skies became overcast, heavy rain lashed several parts of the city.

The weather change brings Delhiites the much-needed respite from sweltering heat as the “feels like” temperature in the national capital crossed 50 degrees Celsius in the day.

Visuals showed uprooted trees and toppled hoardings in several parts of the national capital.

#WATCH | Delhi: A tree uprooted at Teen Murti Marg as the city receives gusty wind, heavy rainfall and hailstorm. pic.twitter.com/JtySqurVs2
ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2025

The IMD has attributed the sudden spell of extreme weather to a cyclonic circulation over Haryana, which is part of an east-west trough extending from Punjab to Bangladesh. This weather system is pulling in moisture from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, creating highly unstable atmospheric conditions across the region.

Wind speeds surged to 79 kmph at Safdarjung and 72 kmph at Palam, while areas like Gol Market and Lodi Road in Central Delhi witnessed hailstorms. In Noida, commuters reported driving through intense downpours and hail, describing the experience as navigating through blinding sheets of rain.

According to the IMD, the maximum temperature Wednesday touched 40.7 degrees Celsius, 0.5 degrees above normal, while humidity levels oscillated between 64 and 34 per cent.