On May 21, 2025, Delhi experienced a severe dust storm followed by heavy rain and hail, leading to significant disruptions. Between 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm, at least 10 flights were diverted—primarily to Jaipur and one to Mumbai—and over 50 flights were delayed due to wind shear and intense rainfall. Wind speeds peaked at 74 km/h around 8 pm, causing temperatures in Palam to plummet from 37°C to 23°C within an hour. The India Meteorological Department attributed the sudden weather change to a cyclonic circulation over Haryana, embedded in an east-west trough from Punjab to Bangladesh, with moisture from both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. (PC: Mint & The Indian Express)

NASA has issued an alert after a powerful X2.7-class solar flare erupted from sunspot AR4087 on May 14, 2025. The flare has already caused radio blackouts across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME), the solar storm is expected to hit Earth, potentially disrupting GPS systems, satellite operations, and even causing power outages. As the Sun nears its solar maximum in the 11-year cycle, NASA warns of more such intense events. Global authorities are closely monitoring the situation and advising precautionary measures to minimize technological disruptions. (PC: Business Standard)

Delhi is currently battling a severe heatwave, with the heat index—or “real feel” temperature—reaching 48.5°C, even though actual temperatures are around 40.8°C. The extreme discomfort is due to high humidity levels ranging from 44% to 74%, intensifying the sensation of heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warns of increasing heat stress, as the wet bulb temperature has reached 28.87°C—dangerously close to the 32°C threshold that poses serious health risks. With the monsoon delayed, authorities are advising residents to stay indoors during peak hours, remain hydrated, and take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses. (PC: BBC)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy to very heavy rain alert across over ten Indian states from May 21 to May 24, 2025. This forecast is driven by a developing cyclonic circulation over the east-central Arabian Sea near the Karnataka coast, which is expected to evolve into a low-pressure system by May 22. Notable regions included in the alert are Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and several northeastern states. Additionally, cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Guwahati are expected to experience thunderstorms and significant rainfall. The monsoon update indicates widespread rain activity across southern, central, and northeastern parts of the country, marking an early and intense pre-monsoon surge. Both residents and authorities in the affected regions are advised to remain vigilant and prepared for potential weather disruptions. (PC: The Economic Times)

Recent satellite data reveals that warm ocean water is penetrating beneath Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier—nicknamed the “Doomsday Glacier”—causing unprecedented ice loss. This glacier currently contributes about 4% of global sea level rise. The warm seawater displaces freshwater melt, fueling a continuous cycle of accelerated melting. This newly observed process was previously missing from climate models, indicating that future sea level rise projections may be significantly underestimated. The findings highlight urgent needs for improved monitoring and updated climate models to predict and mitigate severe impacts on coastal cities worldwide. (PC: Getty Images)

Incessant rainfall continues to batter Bengaluru, claiming five lives as the city grapples with severe flooding and waterlogging. Two individuals, a 63-year-old man and a 12-year-old boy, died of electrocution in an apartment in BTM Layout. A housekeeping worker also died in Mahadevapura, while lightning strikes in Raichur and Karwar claimed two more lives. The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Bengaluru and yellow alerts across multiple Karnataka districts. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said that 70% of the city’s flood-prone spots have been addressed, while the remaining areas are being attended to urgently. (Hindustan Times)

On May 16, 2025, Delhi’s air quality sharply declined, entering the ‘very poor’ category with an average AQI of 305. The drop was primarily caused by dust-laden winds from western Rajasthan, which reduced visibility and spiked particulate pollution. Heavily affected areas like Wazirpur and Mundka recorded AQI levels above 400, falling into the ‘severe’ category. Health experts have issued advisories for sensitive groups to limit outdoor activities. The India Meteorological Department has forecast light rain and increased wind speeds in the coming days, which could help disperse pollutants and improve air quality. (PC: Mathurbhumi English)

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey on Thursday at 3:46 pm, according to the EMSC. The quake hit 14 km northeast of Kulu and was felt strongly in the capital, Ankara. No damage or injuries have been reported so far. Iran’s Mehr news agency confirmed there were no immediate casualties. Just a day earlier, a 6.1 magnitude quake hit near Fry, Greece, with tremors felt across Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, and Turkey. Turkey often experiences earthquakes. In 2023, powerful quakes in Turkey and Syria killed over 67,000 people. Thursday’s tremor was much smaller and caused no known harm. (PC: AFP Files)

On May 15, 2025, the Supreme Court of India issued a strong warning to the Telangana government, demanding the immediate restoration of the Kancha Gachibowli forest area in Hyderabad. The directive comes after more than 1,000 trees were illegally felled, in clear violation of environmental regulations and previous court orders. The Court emphasized that responsible officials could face contempt charges and jail time if restoration is not undertaken promptly. Telangana has been given two weeks to submit a detailed reforestation plan. The ruling was praised by environmentalists as a major step toward green accountability. (PC: The Hindu)  

A 4.06 magnitude earthquake struck Pakistan on Monday. It hit at a shallow depth of 10 km, which can cause strong shaking near the surface. The quake's location was recorded at 29.12°N latitude and 67.26°E longitude, according to the National Centre for Seismology. This comes just days after a 4.0 magnitude quake shook the region on Friday night. Experts say shallow quakes like this one can lead to more damage. So far, no major injuries or destruction have been reported. Authorities are monitoring the area for aftershocks or further risks. (PC: iStock)