After sudden gusty winds and a dust surge on Wednesday night, Delhi and the NCR region woke up to a thick haze on Thursday, significantly reducing visibility.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), visibility at Safdarjung and Palam airports dropped to 1,200-1,500 metres due to fine dust swept into the lower atmosphere by winds of 30-40 kmph around 10 pm.
The visibility, which was 4,500 metres earlier, fell rapidly within 90 minutes. Though winds weakened later, the suspended dust continued to impact air quality overnight.
By morning, a westerly wind of 10 kmph slightly improved visibility, which the IMD expects to continue improving. Dust storms, common in Delhi's pre-monsoon period, had also occurred in early March.
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology reported Delhi’s AQI at 236 at 8 am and 249 by 10 am, both in the 'poor' category. The IMD predicts strong surface winds through Thursday and the weekend.
Rain and thunderstorms are expected on Friday, likely improving air conditions. Dust storms or thunderstorms are also forecast for isolated areas in Haryana and Rajasthan with gusts up to 50 kmph.
