A powerful pre-monsoon storm with wind speeds touching 128 kmph swept across Delhi
June 10, 2026: Delhi witnessed one of its strongest pre-monsoon storms of the season on Tuesday night, with wind speeds reaching 128 kmph at Pusa and 120 kmph at Palam Airport. The storm uprooted trees, blocked roads and disrupted flight operations, causing diversions and delays across the national capital. Areas such as Hauz Khas, Defence Colony, Panchsheel Park and Vasant Kunj reported significant damage, even though rainfall remained limited in many parts of the city.
According to meteorologists, the storm was triggered by a combination of extreme surface heating, high atmospheric instability and moisture carried by a cyclonic circulation from the northwest. Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 43.5°C, creating conditions for strong upward air movement. As moisture entered the atmosphere, towering thunderclouds developed rapidly, generating powerful winds and severe dust activity.
Experts explained that much of the rainfall evaporated before reaching the ground due to the hot and dry lower atmosphere, creating a phenomenon known as a dry thunderstorm. This process produced intense downdrafts that spread across the surface, lifting dust and generating damaging wind gusts. Weather scientists also noted that increasing western disturbances and changing atmospheric patterns have contributed to the growing frequency and intensity of such pre-monsoon storms over northwest India.