Gurgaon: A dust storm swept the city Saturday night around 9.30pm, slashing visibility, followed by thunderstorm activity and lightning, with some areas recording light rainfall.The city received 8mm of rain, according to India Meteorological Department.A nowcast issued shortly before the event had warned that gusty winds of 30-50 kmph, accompanied by lightning and rain, were very likely within two hours.Several areas — including Sohna Road, Golf Course Extension Road and Dwarka Expressway — witnessed intense winds that lifted loose dust and debris into the air.The Met department said moderate thunderstorms with wind speeds of 40-60 kmph and lightning were likely over parts of Hodal, Hathin, Nuh, Palwal, Ballabgarh, Sohna, Gurgaon and Faridabad. Light rainfall was forecast across a wider region, including Firozpur Jhirka, Punahana, Taoru, Bawal, Rewari, Pataudi, Jhajjar, Bahadurgarh, Sonipat and adjoining areas.The sudden change was triggered by an active western disturbance over Jammu & Kashmir, coupled with localised atmospheric instability and a cyclonic circulation over Haryana — conditions conducive to dust storms and convective activity during the pre-monsoon period.Daytime temperatures, however, remained elevated. At the KVK station, the maximum was 36.7°C, rising from 34.8°C the previous day. At NorthCap University, it reached 38.6°C, up from 37.5°C on Friday.The minimum temperature was recorded at 30°C — five notches above normal — the highest minimum in the state. At NorthCap University’s monitoring station, the minimum was 26.1°C, up from 23°C a day earlier.IMD said maximum temperatures are likely to rise by around 2°C over the next 48 hours, before dropping 3-4°C due to rainfall and thunderstorm activity. A yellow alert has been issued for the city over the next four days.“Light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, hail and strong winds, is expected between May 3 and May 6. Rainfall is likely at isolated places on May 3 and 6, while intensity and spread are expected to increase on May 4 and 5, when many parts of the state, including Gurgaon, may receive light to moderate rain,” IMD said.Wind speeds are expected to pick up through this period. Gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are likely at isolated locations on May 2 and May 7, with stronger winds of 40-50 kmph expected between May 3 and May 6. On May 4 and 5, speeds could reach 50-60 kmph at isolated places, raising the risk of damage to temporary structures and uprooting of trees. Hailstorm activity has also been forecast at isolated locations on those two days.
