Desk Correspondent , New Delhi – A severe dust storm has covered the National Capital Region (NCR) on Friday April 3, morning, dramatically reducing visibility and shrouding the iconic India Gate in a thick blanket of haze that made the monument nearly invisible from a distance. A viral video captured by news agency ANI showed joggers and morning runners continuing their exercise routine in the nearest part of India Gate, unbothered by the sudden poor air quality and dusty winds. The clip, shared widely on social media platform X, depicted an unnatural scene where the landmark almost vanished amid the swirling dust.

The dust storm struck New Delhi early on Friday as part of a sudden weather shift, following a hot Thursday when the maximum temperature reached 36.8 degrees Celsius, nearly three degrees above the seasonal average. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the conditions brought gusty winds and significantly lowered visibility in several parts of the capital and NCR. Residents experienced mixed reactions: while some enjoyed the cold breeze and cloudy skies, others reported difficulty in breathing due to the dust. Atul, a cyclist speaking to PTI, said “The weather is changing every day, yesterday it was sunny, and today it suddenly turned cloudy with a dust storm. The weather is quite surprising these days, but it’s good for cycling.” In contrast, Jyoti, out for her morning walk, noted the dust affected her breathing and called for better measures to tackle Delhi's pollution. The IMD has issued forecast that cloudy skies could continue until April 6, with possibilities of light rain and thunderstorms later in the week.

The viral video quickly went viral on social media, highlighting the unpredictable nature of Delhi's weather patterns and the resilience of its residents who continued daily routines despite the challenges. No major injuries or accidents were immediately reported from the storm, but the event served as a reminder of the region's vulnerability to sudden dust storms, which can disrupt visibility, affect air quality, and impact daily life in moments. The incident also sparked online discussions about pollution control and urban preparedness for extreme weather shifts in the national capital.