By Admin 
Life became disrupted in the country’s capital Delhi on Wednesday (18 March) evening due to dust storm and rain with thunder. After this, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an ‘Orange Alert’ for the city. IMD has sent an alert to all State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs). There is a possibility of bad weather in Central, Eastern, New Delhi, Northern, Northeastern, Northwestern, Shahdara, Southern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western districts. At least 16 flights were diverted at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).
What did the weather department say?
According to the India Meteorological Department, ‘Orange Alert’ means ‘be prepared’. This means that the general public should be prepared for inclement weather, which may disrupt normal life. The Meteorological Department said in a statement, “During the next three hours, light to moderate rain, thundershowers and winds at a speed of 40-50 kilometers per hour are expected at many places in some parts of Delhi, the speed of which can go up to 60 kilometers per hour.”
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Wind blowing at a speed of 65 km per hour
Around 7 pm in Palam, winds blew at a speed of 35 kilometers per hour, the speed of which later reached 50 kilometers per hour. The highest wind speed in the capital was recorded at Pragati Maidan of 68 kilometers per hour. Whereas in Pusa the wind speed reached 65 kilometers per hour.
There was power failure in many areas
Strong winds also blew in other parts of the city. Wind speed was 50 km per hour at Palam, 46 km per hour at Lodhi Road, 44 km per hour at Ignou, 41 km per hour at Naraina and 33 km per hour at Pitampura, indicating the widespread impact of the storm in the Delhi region. Due to strong winds, there was power failure in many areas of the capital and work was disrupted.
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IMD issued advisory to people
The IMD issued several advisories urging people to stay indoors and away from weak or unsafe structures. People were warned to stay away from windows, electric poles and power lines. Farmers have been asked to temporarily stop work and take their animals to safer places. Drivers stranded in the storm have been asked to stop at a safe place and stay inside their vehicles instead of driving in the strong winds.