 "A vehicle sprays water to curb dust and pollution as the sky is enveloped with smog after Delhi's air quality turned \"hazardous\", in New Delhi, India, November 18, 2024. Source: Reuters.")
Visibility dropped and air quality became “poor” in Delhi and the NCR on Thursday because of dust-laden winds overnight, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The IMD added that conditions were likely to improve gradually during the day.
The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was in the “poor” category on Thursday due to dust, which increased PM10 levels. At 9 am, the AQI was 249 (poor), up from 135 (moderate) the day before.
IMD senior scientist RK Jenamani said dust-raising winds began around 10 pm on Wednesday, reducing visibility from 4,500 metres to 1,200 metres. “Sudden gusty winds of 30-40 km/h later became calm at 3-7 km/h. Visibility stayed low between 1,200 and 1,500 metres at Safdarjung and Palam due to dust in the air,” he explained.
IMD scientist Krishna Mishra added that visibility was at 1,500 metres by 9 am, slightly better than the 1,300 metres recorded an hour earlier. “Westerly winds of around 10 km/h are blowing, and gradual improvement is expected,” he said.