1 dead, many injured as wall collapses during dust storm in Delhi
New Delhi: One person lost their life and many were injured after a wall of an under-construction building collapsed near Madhu Vihar police station in East Delhi on Friday. The collapse occurred during a strong dust storm that swept through the national capital.
Vineet Kumar, ADCP 1, East Delhi, confirmed the incident and stated that the injured individuals had been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. “One person was killed and many others sustained injuries,” he said.
The collapsed wall was part of a six-storey building that was still under construction. Officials attributed the collapse to the high-speed winds and dust storm that struck the city.
Temperature drop following storm
The dust storm, accompanied by moderate rainfall, led to a sharp dip in temperatures across Delhi. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the temperature dropped by 10 degrees Celsius at Palam and by 7 degrees Celsius at the Safdarjung weather station.
Orange alert issued by IMD
In light of the sudden change in weather, the IMD issued an Orange Alert for Delhi, advising residents to remain indoors, secure doors and windows, and avoid unnecessary travel.
Additionally, an Orange Alert was issued for thunderstorms, lightning, and hailstorms in four districts of Himachal Pradesh. Four other districts were placed under a Yellow Alert, indicating moderate weather activity.
Weather impact in Himachal Pradesh
Over the past 24 hours, several districts in Himachal Pradesh — including Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Shimla, and Hamirpur — experienced thunderstorms, lightning, and light to moderate rain. The heaviest rainfall was recorded in Gohar, Mandi district, at 19 mm, followed by Pandokhar with 14 mm.
Hailstorms were reported in Banjar (Kullu), Sundernagar (Mandi), and parts of Shimla district.
The dust storm and isolated rainfall in the evening also caused localised power outages in parts of North Delhi. A spokesperson said the disruptions were primarily due to fallen tree branches and other debris damaging electrical lines.
(agency inputs)