A powerful weather disturbance struck Delhi and the surrounding NCR region early Friday morning, bringing with it intense rain, strong gusts of wind, and a dust storm that wreaked havoc across the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) responded by issuing a red alert at 7 a.m., forecasting thunderstorms, lightning, and winds reaching speeds up to 90 km/hr. The alert followed a prior bulletin issued at 5:15 a.m., warning of squally weather and intense rainfall that ultimately led to severe waterlogging and commuter chaos.

Tragically, the storm claimed four lives in Dwarka when a tree, uprooted by the violent winds, collapsed onto a residential structure, killing a woman and her three children. The heavy rainfall led to flooded roads and submerged underpasses in several key areas including South Extension, Minto Road, Khanpur, Lajpat Nagar, and Moti Bagh. The Dwarka underpass was among the worst affected, bringing traffic to a complete standstill due to dangerously rising water levels. Emergency services were deployed to manage the situation and help stranded commuters.

The storm also paralyzed transport infrastructure across the capital. At the Indira Gandhi International Airport, over 120 flights were delayed due to the turbulent weather, with authorities urging passengers to verify flight statuses before heading to the airport. Train services were similarly impacted, with 15 to 20 trains facing delays in the Delhi division after fallen trees damaged tracks and overhead lines. The temperature in the capital plummeted dramatically, dropping from 26.8°C on Thursday night to just 19°C by Friday morning. IMD officials are continuing to monitor the system, warning that the severe conditions may persist through the early part of the day.