Delhi-NCR experienced an unprecedented series of severe storms in May 2025, making it the wettest May on record. Triggered by frequent western disturbances and cyclonic circulations, these storms brought dangerous winds, dust, and torrential rain, resulting in multiple fatalities and infrastructure damage. Experts suggest this unusual weather pattern could be linked to climate change.
A late-night thunderstorm that battered Delhi on May 25 marked the fourth such severe weather event in the month, pushing May 2025 into the record books as the wettest ever recorded in the national capital, as reported by The Times of India.
From dangerous wind gusts to blinding dust storms and torrential rain, Delhi-NCR has endured a wave of highly unusual and violent weather events.
Meteorologists say it’s the result of an exceptional confluence of meteorological systems—and perhaps a sign of changing climate patterns.
Four major storms, one dust storm, 12 lives lost
The capital experienced intense storms on May 2, 17, 21 and 25, each with wind speeds between 74 and 82 km/h. An earlier dust storm on May 15, though rainless, brought winds up to 40 km/h and drastically deteriorated air quality.
These extreme weather events have had devastating consequences.
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At least 12 people lost their lives this month due to collapsing trees, falling walls and damaged infrastructure like toppled electric poles, according to official records.
Why is this happening? Western disturbances at play
At the heart of the chaos lies a spike in western disturbances, a type of low-pressure system that usually originates over the Mediterranean Sea. These disturbances bring moisture as they move eastward and are typically associated with pre-monsoon and winter rainfall in north India. This year, however, they’ve shown up far more frequently—and with far greater impact.
"Western disturbances have been more frequent in May than in previous years," said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at the India Meteorological Department (IMD). "Thunderstorms in summer are not new—they occur every year—but their frequency and intensity have increased this season."
He explained that this year’s mix of high temperatures, high humidity and active weather systems has created a perfect setup for violent thunderstorms.
“If such trends continue, it could indicate the growing impact of climate change,” Mohapatra added.
Adding to the disruption are cyclonic circulations—mini weather systems that have cropped up over multiple northern states including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and even parts of Pakistan.
These systems interact with moisture-rich easterly and southeasterly winds from the Bay of Bengal and southwesterly winds from the Arabian Sea, causing instability in the lower and mid-levels of the atmosphere.
May 25: The fiercest storm of all
The storm that struck on May 25 was the strongest so far this month, with wind speeds at Delhi’s Safdarjung station clocking 82 km/h. According to the IMD, the intensity of this storm was driven by an active western disturbance that was absent in previous storms.
A senior IMD weather scientist explained that the system formed as moist easterly and southeasterly winds collided with dry, cold winds descending from the north, creating vertical instability and rapid thundercloud formation.
Weather analyst Navdeep Dahiya pointed out on X that the storm originated over north Punjab and traveled southeast toward Delhi via Haryana, intensifying as it approached the capital.
"This May, western disturbances have frequently appeared as cyclonic circulations over northwest India, particularly affecting regions such as Punjab, Haryana and central Pakistan. High temperatures, combined with these circulatory systems, have led to increased moisture. This has contributed to the formation of thunderclouds… the primary cause behind the violent dust storms, thunderstorms and bouts of heavy rainfall observed throughout the month," said Skymet’s Mahesh Palawat.
A changing pattern—or a sign of the future?
While thunderstorms and pre-monsoon rains are typical in May, experts stress that the frequency and ferocity of this year’s storms are out of the ordinary. The concern now is whether this could become a recurring pattern in the years to come.
As Mohapatra warned, “All of the elements required for severe thunderstorms are currently present. If such trends continue, it could indicate the growing impact of climate change.”
For now, residents of Delhi and NCR are left cleaning up after a record-breaking month that has served as both a weather anomaly and a potential preview of what the future holds.
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