New Delhi, June 14, 2025 – The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a thunder red alert for a massiveDust Storm Alert that is moving through parts of North India and a warning of extraordinary heavy rain over many states as well. This highly unusual weather event will bring interruptions to daily life, and citizens have been urged to take preventive actions to protect themselves. The entire country is on it’s toes with some extraordinary weather looming from Delhi-NCR to Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.
A Perfect Storm: Dust and Rain Interact
Severe combination of a gigantic dust storm with torrential rainfall that few would have expected is within our forecast with the IMD warning of wind conditions in the range of 70-90 kmph. The current forecast of severe dust storm (forming over West Rajasthan as a result of a cyclonic circulation nearby) is expected to create a thick haze over our cities reducing visibility and creating health and infrastructure challenges. The heavy to even extremely heavy rainfall (including locations that saw over 204.5 mm of rain in 24 hours) and the seasonal activity with red alerts, including Delhi, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and parts of Madhya Pradesh made this forecast timely in nature.
According to the IMD statement, the severe dust storm is driven by the strong surface winds and a trough extending from Punjab to Bangladesh moving moisture from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal that are worsening the rainfall conditions.
“This is a risky and rare weather event,” said Dr Naresh Kumar, a senior IMD scientist. “Residents living in the forecast area should refrain from outdoor activities, secure loose or outside objects and listen to local weather warnings for the hazardous conditions.”
Areas Facing Vulnerable Conditions; Extreme Natural Weather
The warnings for the dust storm were drastic especially for Delhi-NCR where all recent history has shown these storms to have already persistent destroyers. This shows the terrible reflex the dust storm had in the national capital when a wall collapsed in Madhu Vihar and ended the life of one person, and injured many others. If that didn’t put into perspective how damaging dust storms can be, there were tree-falls, delayed flight or complete cancellation operations from flying out of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), when the walls of the metrological department were sent from the middle to west across Delhi-NCR.
Outside of Delhi the IMD has prominently flagged states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and portions of Madhya Pradesh,, dust storms and heavy rain have been merited quite seriously. While over in Rajasthan the districts of Bhiwari, Deeg, and most of Bharatpur should ready themselves. In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, cities like Agra, Mathura and Hathras are under a red alert for significant rainfall and dust storms, local authorities in Agra will closely monitor waterlogging and landslides. Furthermore in some of affected southern states, states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka are under a red alert for heavy rainfall due to weakening monsoon systems.
Impact on Daily Living
The combined scourge of dust storms and heavy rain has already disrupted lives far and wide:
- Transportation Disruption: The major airports, including Delhi’s IGIA, are delaying or diverting flights. Road traffic in urban areas such as Delhi, Noida and Gurugram are being hampered by fallen trees and waterlogged streets.
- Power Disruptions: Strong winds have caused damage to power lines resulting in marginal disruption of power supply to parts of Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh.
- Health Concerns: The dust storms pose a major risk to respiratory health, with experts indicating vulnerable groups should use masks and avoid exposure.
- Infrastructure Disruption: Reports of collapsing buildings, uprooted trees, and damaged cars in affected areas.
In areas of Kerala including Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Kannur schools and colleges have closed; and in high-range areas of Idukki travel bans have been instituted at night. Tamil Nadu officials are on high alert with flood cautions promulgated for levels in regional reservoirs like Poondi near Chennai are approaching capacity.
Safety Tips and Warnings
The IMD and state and local governments issued “advisory” for safety:
- Stay Indoors – Do not travel unnecessarily while this storm brings dust clouds and copious rain.
- Secure belongings – Tie down unsecured items like outdoor furniture, construction materials, etc. if it poses a wind concern.
- Monitor advisories – Get updates from IMD and local media advisories.
- Health advisories – Respiratory recommended wearing of masks to lessen dust inhalation, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions.
- Flood Advisory – Low-lying residents should evacuate to safer locations, avoid flooded or waterlogged areas.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed teams for the stated affected locations where heavy storms could pose excessive flooding risk, and the state of Tamil Nadu has stationed six teams. Fishermen in the coastal waters of Kerala and Tamil Nadu were also made aware to be wary of going to sea.
Stay Safe, Stay Compliant
India is under a double assault of dust and rain, so residents should remain careful and vigilant, and be sure to listen to all official advisories, and warnings. You can find the latest updates on the India Meteorological Department website, or follow your local news channels. As the situation could progressed quickly, it will be very useful to ensure you are prepared.