The national capital on Wednesday evening was gripped by a sudden dust storm. Private weather agency Skymet Weather predicted "intense rains ahead" for Delhi with "heavy showers" in some parts.
Operations were temporarily halted at Indira Gandhi International airport due to the dust storm, news agency ANI reported. Till 7.50 pm, 27 flights had been diverted from Delhi airport.
Delhiites woke up to a partly cloudy morning on Wednesday, with the minimum temperature settling at 31 degrees Celsius, three notches above the season's average.
The weather department predicted some respite from the oppressive heat later in the day with gusty winds and thunderstorm to occur.
Dust storm hits Delhi; Skymet Weather says "intense rains ahead, expect some parts to see heavy showers as well." pic.twitter.com/tozHQSoG2Y — ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2019
On Tuesday, the maximum temperature in the city was 44.5 degrees Celsius, five degrees above the season's average.
Meanwhile, all forces are on alert as Gujarat braces for Cyclone Vayu to make landfall on Thursday. The Army, the Air Force, and the NDRF teams are deployed and put on standby for rescue and relief operations along with the coastal districts.
Heavy dust storm hits Janpath Road and India Gate, in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/WqiYvZq8Kq — ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2019
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has also deployed ships and aircraft to enable search and rescue post the landfall of the cyclonic storm.
Authorities have managed to evacuate around 1.60 lakh people on the coast to safer places.
(With inputs from agencies)