The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Delhi, warning residents of a significant dust storm expected on Friday, May 15, 2026. The forecast includes gusty winds reaching speeds of 80-100 kmph, followed by light thunderstorms, rainfall, and lightning across various parts of the city.
Extensive Alert Coverage
The orange alert, signifying a need for residents to 'be prepared,' encompasses virtually all districts of Delhi, including South East, East, Shahadra, Central, North East, South, New Delhi, South West, West, North West, and North Delhi. Neighboring cities Noida and Ghaziabad are under a yellow alert, predicting light rain.
Authorities have forwarded the warning to the Delhi State Disaster Management Authority, advising citizens to adhere to safety guidelines during the severe weather event.
Preceding Weather Conditions
This alert follows a period of volatile weather. Delhi and Noida residents experienced a dust storm in the early hours of Friday, just a day after a similar event in Uttar Pradesh reportedly caused over 100 fatalities. An IMD official noted winds touching 98 kmph, accompanied by a 10-11 degree Celsius temperature drop across most of the city after 8 PM on Thursday.
Thursday, May 14, 2026, had been Delhi's hottest day of May so far, with temperatures hitting 40.6 degrees Celsius, one notch above the seasonal average.
Outlook: Short-Lived Respite Amidst Rising Heat
Despite the orange alert and expected cloudy skies on Friday, the IMD anticipates maximum temperatures to fluctuate between 40 and 42 degrees Celsius, remaining one to three notches above average. Any relief from the storm is expected to be brief. The weather agency has also issued a heatwave alert for the Delhi-NCR region from May 16 to May 20, with temperatures projected to rise steadily in the coming days.