19-year-old girl buried in wall collapse, two men crushed by trees: Storm kills three, injures 23 in Delhi

THREE PERSONS were killed and 23 injured in incidents ranging from building damage to the uprooting of trees due to the storm that hit the national capital region late on Friday evening.

According to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), 16 incidents of trees being uprooted were reported to the civic body between Friday evening and Saturday morning while the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) recorded 78 complaints.

Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received 50 calls between 9 and 11 pm on Friday night related to storm-related incidents, according to officials.

Among those who lost their lives were Shireen, 19, a resident of Abul Fazal Enclave, who died after a brick wall fell on her, and 30-year-old Hari Om, who was crushed by a tree in Rohini Sector 16. Jaiprakash, a two-wheeler rider, was reported to have died after a tree branch fell on him near the Janakpuri flyover.

According to officials, across agencies, as many as 152 calls — including an estimated 130 made to the DFS regarding incidents of uprooting of trees, electricity poles and hoardings – were collated in this regard till Saturday.

Officials added that around 55 calls related to the collapse of portions of buildings and structures in the capital were logged and 202 calls were received regarding power disruptions as the storm swept the city.

According to the IMD forecast on Friday, a dust/thunderstorm with rain and gusty winds was expected over the NCR later in the day. The impact of the weather feature, mainly strong winds, was expected to damage plantation, cause partial damage to vulnerable structures, etc.

PTI People walk past an uprooted tree in New Delhi, Friday.