Why is Delhi-NCR covered in dust this morning? Here’s What the Experts Say

New Delhi: Strong winds lashed parts of Delhi-NCR on Tuesday morning, raising dust and affecting the air quality. The visibility level at Palam Observatory in Delhi, which is close to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, was 1,100 meters at 9 am as compared to 4,000 meters at 9 am on Monday. Satellite images released by the Meteorological Office show a thick layer of dust over large parts of northwest India.

According to meteorologists, dusty conditions due to dry soil due to intense heat, absence of rain and strong winds since midnight prevailed over northwest India for the last five days.

“The dust concentration has increased manifold. The PM10 concentration increased from 140 micrograms per cubic meter at 4 am to 775 micrograms per cubic meter at 8 am. This is mainly due to the strong winds prevailing in the area. The dust quickly It will only go down,” news agency PTI quoted VK Soni, head of IMD’s Environment Monitoring and Research Centre, as saying.

In the last four days, the maximum temperature in the national capital has climbed above 40 degrees Celsius, intensifying the heat wave conditions.

Dust particles, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract when inhaled. They can irritate the lungs, trigger respiratory problems and aggravate existing conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and allergies.

Light rain is expected today, but the temperature will increase till Sunday

Delhiites can expect some respite from the heat on Tuesday as the Meteorological Department has predicted light rain or drizzle at isolated places. Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 41.3 degrees Celsius, two notches above the season’s average, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 25.2 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year.

The Met department has predicted a partly cloudy sky with a possibility of very light rain or thundershowers at one or two places during the night. The weatherman has predicted a partly cloudy sky on Tuesday and light rain or drizzle with strong winds at one or two places in the afternoon or evening.

The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be around 41 degree Celsius and 26 degree Celsius, respectively.

For May 18, the weather office has said that the national capital may experience strong surface winds during the day, while for May 19 there is a possibility of very light rain or thundershowers with gusty winds.

However, the maximum temperature is expected to rise up to 44 degree Celsius by Sunday.