KKN Gurugram Desk |  What began as a relief from Delhi’s relentless heat turned into a night of horror as a powerful thunderstorm swept through Delhi-NCR, claiming seven lives and leaving widespread devastation across the region. The storm, accompanied by strong winds, heavy rain, and lightning, led to collapsed trees, damaged infrastructure, grounded flights, delayed trains, and hours of power outages.

This sudden weather event unfolded late Wednesday evening, shocking residents who were already struggling with extreme heat and humidity throughout the day.

High-Speed Winds Toppled Trees and Power Poles Across Delhi-NCR

The storm began forming around 7 PM, with dust-laden winds sweeping across areas like Palam, where wind speeds reached 72 km/h, and Safdarjung, clocking 79 km/h. The impact was immediate and destructive—trees and electric poles collapsed onto roads, walls and hoardings fell, and several localities in Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad plunged into darkness as electricity infrastructure failed.

Fatalities and Accidents: A City in Crisis

Death Toll by Region:

• Delhi: 2 dead

• Ghaziabad: 3 dead

• Noida: 2 dead

1. Disabled Man Killed in Electric Pole Collapse in Delhi

In Hazrat Nizamuddin, South-East Delhi, a differently-abled man tragically lost his life when a high-mast electric pole collapsed during the storm. The man, on his tricycle, was passing beneath the pole when it fell. Police confirmed he was pronounced dead at the scene, and no identification documents were found with him.

2. Man Crushed by Tree in Gokulpuri, Delhi

In North-East Delhi’s Gokulpuri, 22-year-old Azhar, a resident of Vijay Mohalla, was killed when a tree collapsed due to strong winds. Two motorcycles were also destroyed in the incident. Despite police efforts to rescue him, Azhar succumbed to injuries at GTB Hospital.

3. Three Deaths Reported in Ghaziabad

One victim, Mujammil (40) from Rasoolpur Sikaroda, was riding his bike when a tree fell on him near Hapur Chungi. He was taken to the Sanjay Nagar Combined Hospital, where he was declared dead. Another fatality was reported in Khoda, where a boundary wall of a school collapsed on a slum hut, killing 38-year-old Panu Devi, a native of Bihar. Her children sustained injuries but survived.

4. Woman Dies in Storm Panic, Falls into Drain

In Nidori village (Ghaziabad), 35-year-old Shameem drowned after falling into a drain during the storm. Scared by the crackling thunder and lightning, she lost her balance and slipped into a flooded drain while returning from a shop.

Greater Noida Suffers Brutal Impact: Elderly Woman Beheaded by Falling Railing

Perhaps the most gruesome incident occurred in Greater Noida’s Migsun Ultimo Society, where a falling railing from the 22nd floor struck 50-year-old Sunita, decapitating her instantly. She was walking with her grandson Advik (5), who was seriously injured.

Additional Incidents:

• In Noida Sector 19, electric poles collapsed, injuring two motorcyclists.

• A construction site wall in Sector 43 caved in, injuring a passerby.

• Over 300 trees, electric poles, and transmission towers were toppled throughout Noida and Greater Noida.

Teacher Killed by Tree in NTPC Township, Greater Noida

In NTPC Township, 45-year-old schoolteacher Ramkrishna was killed while taking a walk. A large tree uprooted by the wind fell on him, causing fatal head injuries. He died on the spot.

Air and Rail Services Hit Hard by Storm

The storm led to chaos in air travel and rail operations:

At IGI Airport, Delhi:

• 11 flights were diverted to Jaipur

• 50 flights were delayed

• Visibility dropped due to dust and rain, complicating landings

Indian Railways:

• 14 trains under Delhi Division were disrupted due to power line and tree damage

• Trains on the Delhi-Howrah line were slowed to 30 km/h

• Metro services on the Aqua Line were halted for 2 hours between Pari Chowk and Greater Depot

Namo Bharat Trains:

Operations between Ghaziabad to Guldhar and Muradnagar to Duhai were halted as trees blocked the track.

Power Blackout Across Multiple Regions

Following the storm, large parts of Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad were left without power for hours, and in some places, overnight. The collapse of electric poles and transformer towers made restoration difficult. Emergency repair crews were deployed, but damage assessments are still ongoing.

Meteorological Context: Sudden Weather Shift

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had not issued a red alert in advance, as the storm developed rapidly post 7 PM. This highlights the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns in the region. Earlier in the day, Delhi had recorded extreme heat and high humidity, a common trigger for evening thunderstorms.

What’s Next: IMD Forecast for the Coming Days

According to IMD:

• Further isolated thunderstorms are possible in Delhi-NCR

• Winds may range between 40-60 km/h

• Temperature drop of 3–5°C expected due to rain

• Caution advised in outdoor areas due to weakened infrastructure

 Safety Tips During Thunderstorms

As Delhi-NCR braces for more such weather events, citizens are advised to:

• Avoid parking under trees or near weak walls

• Stay indoors during lightning and strong winds

• Keep electronic appliances unplugged

• Use battery-operated lights in case of blackouts

• Follow updates from IMD and local authorities

The fierce storm of May 21–22 has exposed infrastructure weaknesses, emergency preparedness gaps, and rising climate unpredictability in Delhi-NCR. While the heat subsided temporarily, the storm has left a trail of destruction, affecting hundreds of families.

Residents, civic bodies, and planners must now act swiftly to repair, rebuild, and re-strategize for future extreme weather events. For accurate weather alerts and ground reports, stay connected with KKNLive.com — your source for reliable, analytical, and in-depth news coverage.