The India Meteorological Department (IMD) declared an orange alert warning of rain and high winds of up to 70–80 kmph in areas of the national capital and National Capital Region (NCR) on Saturday morning as strong dust storms and thunderstorms blasted Delhi, causing some relief from the heat.
What did IMD predict?
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Strong dust storms are “very likely” throughout the areas of southeast Delhi, east Delhi, Shahdara, central Delhi, northeast Delhi, south Delhi, New Delhi, southwest Delhi, west Delhi, northwest Delhi, and north Delhi, according to the IMD’s district-level forecast, which was released at 8.25 am. In some areas of south Delhi and southwest Delhi, light rain, heavy thunderstorms, and lightning are also predicted, per a report by Hindustan Times.
VIDEO | Delhi: The national capital receives much-needed relief from sweltering heat as light rainfall lashes parts of the city. Visuals from North Avenue area.#Delhi #WeatherUpdate
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/DiNBHFxdZU
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 23, 2026
“Convection is developed after a spell of very high temperatures. As a result, thunderstorms, lightning and squally winds may be intense over Delhi-NCR for a short while till equilibrium is established,” the weatherman said, per HT report.
In certain places, wind gusts could reach 70-80 kmph, as per the weather office. The greatest wind was observed near Pusa around 81 kmph, then Palam, around 56 kmph, and Pragati Maidan approximately 35 kmph, according to observations made at 8.30 am.
Residents advised to remain indoors
The IMD also noted an abrupt decrease in visibility at Palam airport, when strong winds and dust led visibility to fall from 3,500 metre to 1,500 metre in just one hour.
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The IMD underlined, “Squally winds are prevailing over Delhi and NCR. Residents are advised to remain indoors until the weather conditions improve, and the squally winds dissipate.”
As of 8.30 am, there was minimal rainfall in the city; Pusa recorded 2 mm while Ridge received 0.2 mm. There was no rain recorded at other weather stations, such as Safdarjung, Palam, Lodhi Road, Ayanagar, Pitampura, Mayur Vihar, Najafgarh, and Janakpuri.
According to the IMD, a thunderstorm over northwest India, which covers Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi, is predicted to temporarily reduce the heatwave conditions on Saturday. However, temperatures will likely peak once again early on Sunday.
