Dust storm hit North India, Rainfall in several parts; Light rain forecast for today

The severe dust storm which has been initiated over Sistan basin in Afghanistan may possibly hit North India within the next 48 hours. On Tuesday, the scientists from the Union ministry of earth sciences have warned on this concern. On Monday afternoon, the storm was last spotted over Karachi. It was earlier said that it may likely hit Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

This, along with dust approaching in from Thar Desert in Rajasthan for the reason of strong winds, may possibly lead to a sharp upsurge in dust pollution in the national capital by Thursday.

As per to the recent statement issued by SAFAR on Tuesday, the pollution forecasting agency of the ministry of earth sciences stated, “There is a severe dust storm that originated from the Sistan Basin in Afghanistan and the dust travelled up to Karachi on Monday. A diluted plume is likely to hit northern part of India, including Delhi in two days. Also fresh dust uplift due to strong surface winds from Thar Desert is expected.”

On Tuesday, by this time the pollution levels in Delhi had shot up to near ‘severe’ levels for the reason of extreme heat as well as strong winds, which churned up local dust from thirsting soil. For Tuesday, the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was 300, which was stated in the poor classification.

Flights Hit At Delhi Airport For An Hour Due To Severe Dust Storm

For the reason of the local dust storm, activated by an upcoming western disturbance, the national capital on Tuesday morning was surrounded in a thick haze. On Tuesday, it started around 3 am.

A senior official of the Central Pollution Control Board said, “The level of PM10 (coarse dust) shot up to 404ug/mg by 6pm on Thursday. It was four times above the daily permissible limits. As the pollution was mainly because of strong winds lifting local dust, the level of PM10 shot up. The level of PM2.5, pollutants triggered by vehicles and industries, were still low and less than two times above the safe standards.”

On the other hand, this is not the first time that Delhi is going to perceive a spike in dust pollution for the reason of a dust storm that created beyond the international borders. In August 2018,in Delhi, a dust storm in Oman had pushed up pollution levels. In November 2017, when the national capital was winding under extreme pollution, a dust storm in Iraq, Kuwait as well as Saudi Arabia had backed to closely 40% of the dust in Delhi.

D Saha, former head of the CPCB’s air quality laboratory said, “A study conducted by the CPCB and IIT-Delhi had even found that minute air-borne salt particles originating from salt pans in Afghanistan were pushing up pollution levels in Delhi, mostly during the winter months when westerly and northwesterly winds flow.”