Dust Storm Blankets Delhi, Air Quality Dips to 'Poor' Category

Overnight Dust Storm Reduces Visibility Across Capital​

New Delhi woke up to a thick layer of dust on Thursday morning after strong overnight dust storms swept through the city, significantly reducing visibility and pushing air quality into the 'poor' category.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the dust storm was driven by gusty winds blowing at speeds of 30 to 40 kmph late Wednesday night. The visibility at Indira Gandhi International Airport dropped sharply from 4,500 metres at 10 pm to just 1,200 metres by 11:30 pm.

Calm Winds Hamper Dust Dispersion​

Following the storm, wind conditions became notably weak, with speeds dropping to just 3 to 7 kmph. These calm conditions have hindered the natural dispersal of dust particles, causing visibility to remain poor on Thursday morning, fluctuating between 1,200 and 1,500 metres at both Safdarjung and Palam airports.

AQI Slips into Poor Category​

The dust storm has adversely impacted Delhi’s air quality. After several weeks of relatively moderate air quality, the Air Quality Index (AQI) slid into the 'poor' range. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the AQI stood at 236 at 8 am.

The AQI scale categorizes readings from 201 to 300 as 'poor', 101 to 200 as 'moderate', 51 to 100 as 'satisfactory', and 0 to 50 as 'good'. Levels above 300 indicate increasingly hazardous air conditions.

More Wind Expected During the Day​

The IMD has forecast strong surface winds later in the day, which could potentially help improve visibility and air quality by dispersing the suspended dust particles. However, residents have been advised to take precautions, especially those with respiratory conditions, as the dust levels remain high.