The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the ongoing dust storm in the national capital will continue till tomorrow i.e. May 18. It said that there is also a possibility of dust storm in different parts of Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
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.
Earlier on May 16, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had said that the situation is likely to improve in one to two days and rain is expected on May 18 as well.
According to IMD latest updatesLight to moderate rain with thunderstorm, dust storm very likely over the national capital and adjoining areas today i.e. May 17. Light to moderate rain and thundershowers with gusty winds reaching 30-50 kmph would occur over Delhi and adjoining areas.
According to IMD, areas including North Delhi, North-East Delhi, North-West Delhi, West Delhi, Central-Delhi, East Delhi and NCR are likely to receive rain today. Moreover, the weather office has predicted dust storm or thundershower during the day while the maximum temperature is likely to hover around 40 degree Celsius. The relative humidity was recorded at 47 per cent at 8.30 am.
According to SAFAR, the air quality index in the national capital has also settled at 271 with the overall AQI at 10.30 am. The air quality in Delhi’s Dhirpur area reached the ‘very poor’ category with an AQI of 323, while Lodhi Road recorded an AQI of 225 in the ‘poor’ category. Areas like IIT Delhi, Mathura Road recorded an AQI of 313 and 249 respectively. Gurugram recorded an AQI of 280, while Noida recorded an AQI of 266, both in the ‘poor’ category.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “poor”. considered “serious”.
tomorrow, the National Capital Strong winds were observed which raised dust and affected the air quality as well as reduced visibility to 1,000 metres. On Tuesday, PM 10 pollution in Delhi increased to an alarming level as strong winds lashed the city, raising dust and leaving a thick blanket of smog over it.
A dusty wind with a speed of 50 km per hour swept the capital between 3 am and 6 am yesterday, reducing the visibility to just 700 meters at Palam Observatory near the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 10 am, the IMD said. 4,000m on Monday at 9am. The overall air quality index had deteriorated to 260 by 3 pm on Tuesday from 162 at 4 pm on Monday.
Meteorologists have attributed the dusty conditions in northwest India over the last five days to a combination of intense heat, absence of rainfall and dry soil due to strong winds that persisted since midnight.
Experts said dust particles, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), can penetrate deep into the respiratory system when inhaled. They can irritate the lungs, trigger respiratory problems and aggravate existing conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and allergies.
Dr Jugal Kishore, Head of the Department of Medicine, Safdarjung, said, “Dust pollution puts people with respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at greater risk. This can worsen their condition and lead to attacks. could.” the hospital told PTI.
Dusty conditions also aggravate rhinitis, allergies and eye irritation, he said. Kishor said such people should try to stay indoors till the air quality improves and cover their nose and mouth with a wet cloth.
He said the government may consider banning construction and demolition activities till then.
(With inputs from PTI)
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