Strong dusty winds swept across parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region on Tuesday evening, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing red and orange alerts for thunderstorms, lightning, hail and moderate rainfall in several parts of the city.
The Palam station recorded a peak wind speed of 120 kmph, matching its previous such record in 2001, according to the IMD data.
The weather station experienced 120 kmph of gusty winds between 6.50 and 6.52 pm on Tuesday.
The last time Palam recorded winds of similar intensity was on June 4, 2001, when the maximum wind speed had also touched 120 kmph.
Other stations also reported strong winds during the storm.
Pusa recorded a maximum wind speed of 80 kmph at 7.30 pm, Safdarjung 64 kmph between 7.07 and 7.09 pm, Jafarpur 59 kmph at 7 pm, Chhattarpur 56 kmph at 7.15 pm, Pitampura 35 kmph at 6.30 pm, Lodi Road 31 kmph at 7.45 pm, Janakpuri 30 kmph at 7.30 pm and Mayur Vihar 13 kmph at 7.30 pm.
According to the IMD's district-level nowcast, moderate rainfall with thunderstorm (wind speed 60-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph), lightning and hail is very likely over parts of the city.
Whereas, light to moderate rain/light thunderstorm with lightning with a wind speed 40-50 kmph, very likely over parts of other parts An orange alert was issued for parts of outer north Delhi, north west and north east Delhi and adjoining areas, where light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms with lightning and wind speeds.
Meanwhile, a red alert was issued in other parts of the city.
Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather said the strong winds and isolated rain activity were triggered by a cyclonic circulation persisting over central Pakistan and adjoining areas.
He said similar conditions, including sporadic rain and gusty winds, are likely on Wednesday.
Palawat added that pre-monsoon activity is expected to intensify from June 11 onwards, bringing fairly widespread rainfall over Delhi, Haryana and Punjab.
The enhanced rain activity is likely to result in a significant drop in temperatures across the region, bringing them below the 40-degree Celsius mark in the following days.
The IMD has forecast a partly cloudy sky on Wednesday with the possibility of thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places.
The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle at around 44 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius, respectively.