Dust-laden winds hit Delhi on Tuesday, pushing air quality into the poor category and increasing the concentration of coarse particles in the air.
According to forecasts, the strong winds carrying dust into Delhi from Rajasthan are expected to continue through Thursday.
Meteorological and environmental experts said that a cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan and high temperatures in recent days in northwestern India are contributing to this phenomenon.
Delhi witnesses the long-distance transport of dust almost every year from Rajasthan, and even Afghanistan, during the summer months.
The situation this time has been exacerbated by rising temperatures, as Delhi recorded a severe heat wave on Monday, with mercury rising to a high of 40.1 degrees Celsius, eight degrees above normal for this time of year, according to the Indian Meteorological Department. .
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The IMD recorded a wind speed of around 40 to 50 km / h in Delhi on Tuesday, authorities said, helping to transport the dust but preventing the temperature from rising further.
The 10 micron particulate matter (PM10) concentration – coarse airborne particles – was 341 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg / m3) at 5 pm, against the acceptable 24-hour limit of 100 µg / m3 .
The concentration of PM2.5 – particles that are smaller in size and are released from combustion activities – was approximately 105 µg / m3, slightly higher than the 24-hour acceptable limit of 60 µg / m3.
Experts said the increase in PM10 concentration shows the impact of dust-laden winds on air quality, which, according to the Center’s Early Warning System for Delhi, is expected to remain largely in the poor category. for the next five days.
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