Wed May 21 15:20:00 UTC 2025: **Here’s a news article summarizing the text:**
**Sudden Storm Batters Delhi-NCR, North India, Disrupting Life and Travel**
**New Delhi, India** – A sudden and severe storm swept through Delhi-NCR and several other states in North India on Wednesday night, bringing torrential rain, powerful winds, and hail, causing widespread disruption.
The storm, which saw wind speeds reaching 79 km/h in Delhi’s Safdarjung area and 72 km/h in Palam, led to widespread power outages, traffic congestion, and damage to property. Trees were uprooted across the region, blocking roads and bringing down power lines. In Welcome, North East Delhi, a school wall collapsed due to the high winds, damaging several parked cars.
The sudden downpour caused a dramatic 14-degree Celsius drop in temperature in Delhi, plummeting from 37°C to 23°C.
The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi experienced a dust storm followed by heavy rain, prompting airport authorities to issue an advisory warning of potential flight delays and cancellations. Passengers are urged to contact their airlines for updated flight information and allow extra time for travel.
The Delhi Metro system also faced disruptions due to damage to overhead electric lines and obstructions on the tracks at multiple locations on the Red, Yellow and Pink lines. Services were being regulated on affected sections, and teams are working to restore normalcy as quickly as possible. Passengers are advised to check DMRC’s social media for updates.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for continued thunderstorms, rain, and hail in Delhi-NCR, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh over the next few hours, with wind speeds potentially reaching 90 km/h in some areas. Residents in the affected regions are advised to take necessary precautions. Several cities and areas in UP and Haryana were also placed under an alert including areas close to the state of Uttarakhand where heavy rains were recorded.
First Piper 