Delhi-NCR experienced heavy rain and a dust storm on Wednesday evening, with power outages reported in some areas.
According to the weather department, winds with speeds of 60-70 kmph were reported across Delhi and nearby areas. Palam recorded a wind speed of 20 knots (approximately 35 kmph), gusting up to 40 knots (around 72 kmph).
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and its neighbouring areas, embedded in an east-west trough extending from Punjab to Bangladesh in the lower tropospheric levels, is influencing the weather. Moisture is feeding into the system from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, it added.
A dust storm swept through Noida, and surrounding areas, dropping temperatures to 33 degrees Celsius.
This was swiftly followed by heavy rainfall in parts of the national capital and Noida, with visuals from Noida, South Delhi, and IGI Airport Terminal 3 capturing the downpour.
The weather shift came hours after Delhi experienced sweltering conditions, with the heat index – or the "feels like" temperature – soaring to 50.2 degrees Celsius, owing to a mix of high humidity and intense sunshine.
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.
