CAQM said the situation is likely to improve in one to two days with rain also expected on May 18
In the national capital, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted the dust storm which will continue till tomorrow. Along with this the dust storm will be witnessed in isolated pockets over West Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan.
According to the weather office, on May 18 the national capital could witness strong surface winds during the days while on May 19, it has been predicted that there is a possibility of very light rain or thundershowers along with gusty winds.
Earlier on 16 May, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said the situation is likely to improve in one to two days with rain also expected on May 18.
As per IMD's latest updates, thunderstorm, dust storm with light to moderate intensity rain is expected in the national capital and adjoining areas today i.e. on 17 May. Thunderstorm, dust storm with light to moderate intensity rain and gusty winds with speed of 30-50 Km/h would occur over Delhi and many adjoining areas, it said.
Yesterday, the national capital saw strong winds leading to raising dust and affecting air quality along with reducing visibility to 1,000 meters. On Tuesday, the PM10 pollution in Delhi soared to hazardous levels as strong winds swept the city, increasing dust and leaving a thick blanket of haze over it.
IMD said that dust-laden winds with speeds up to 50 kmph breezed through the capital between 3 am and 6 am yesterday, lowering visibility to a mere 700 meters at 10 am at the Palam Observatory, close to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, as compared to 4,000 meters at 9 am on Monday. By 3 pm on Tuesday, the overall air quality index had worsened to 260, from 162 at 4 pm on Monday.
The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.