Devastating Dust Storm Strikes Delhi, Sparks Panic Among Residents

New Delhi:A **powerful and sudden dust storm**, accompanied by **strong winds and heavy rainfall**, wreaked havoc across several parts of **Delhi on Friday**, leaving residents alarmed and triggering comparisons to an **earthquake-like experience**.

The violent storm caused **widespread disruption**, uprooting dozens of trees and severely impacting traffic in various areas. Citizens took to social media to share **dramatic videos and images**, showing clouds of dust engulfing neighborhoods and reducing visibility to near zero.

One resident described the storm saying, *“It felt like an earthquake. The lights and fans in my house were swinging.”* Another user added, *“The wind was so strong I thought the building was shaking. My apartment lights were swaying like a pendulum — it felt like a 20-minute tremor.”*

According to the **India Meteorological Department (IMD)**, the storm brought **wind speeds up to 74 km/h at the airport**, 70 km/h at **Pragati Maidan**, and 69 km/h at **Lodhi Road**. Wind speeds varied across the city, ranging from **37 km/h in Najafgarh** to **56 km/h in Safdarjung**.

IMD has also issued a warning for **continued heavy rainfall in Delhi on Saturday**, urging citizens to stay indoors and take precautionary measures.

The storm serves as a stark reminder of the increasing unpredictability of **climate patterns** in the region and the need for **preparedness against extreme weather events**.