Delhi-NCR Dust Storm Disrupts Flights.
🌪️ Nature’s Fury Hits the Capital Region
On April 11, 2025, a powerful dust storm swept through Delhi-NCR, causing significant disruption to flight operations, road traffic, and daily life. The sudden change in weather plunged the region into a brown haze, reducing visibility and forcing several flight delays and diversions at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).
✈️ Flight Operations Hit Hard
Delhi’s IGI Airport witnessed major disruptions starting late morning. According to airport officials:
-
Over 30 flights were delayed due to poor visibility.
-
5 domestic flights were diverted to Jaipur and Lucknow.
-
Airport runways were temporarily put on hold for takeoffs and landings between 12:30 PM and 1:45 PM.
-
Passengers were advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Airlines like IndiGo, Vistara, and Air India issued advisories via their social media handles, alerting passengers about the weather-related delays.
🌫️ What Caused the Dust Storm?
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD):
-
The storm was triggered by strong northwesterly winds carrying dust particles from Rajasthan.
-
Wind speeds reached up to 50–60 km/h in some areas.
-
Visibility dropped to below 1,000 meters in parts of Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad.
Meteorologists have predicted similar conditions may continue for the next 24–36 hours, with isolated rain expected in some NCR regions, which may help settle the dust.
🚗 Road Traffic and Daily Life Affected
The dust storm not only disrupted flights but also caused:
-
Massive traffic jams on major roads like NH-48 and the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway.
-
Several minor accidents due to poor visibility.
-
A surge in respiratory complaints, especially among the elderly and children.
People were seen covering their faces with masks and scarves, and schools in some areas advised students to stay indoors.
🏥 Health Advisory Issued
Doctors and health experts issued alerts, especially for those with asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments:
-
Avoid stepping out unless necessary.
-
Use N95 masks if going outdoors.
-
Keep inhalers and essential medication handy.
-
Use air purifiers indoors if available.
📰 Conclusion
The Delhi-NCR dust storm is a stark reminder of the fragile environmental balance and the increasing impact of climate anomalies in urban India. Authorities are monitoring the situation and working to restore normalcy, but citizens are urged to stay safe, follow official advisories, and limit outdoor exposure.
Stay tuned to SutraHub.in for all the latest updates