Delhi's AQI slips to ‘poor’ after dust storm

TOI City Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: May 15, 2025, 11:22 IST

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Delhi residents awoke to a dusty haze on Thursday as strong overnight winds triggered a dust storm, severely reducing visibility and degrading air quality. The Indira Gandhi International Airport experienced a sharp drop in visibility, plummeting from 4,500 to 1,200 meters. Consequently, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 236, placing it in the 'poor' category.

Delhi's AQI slips to ‘poor’ after dust storm

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NEW DELHI: Delhi woke up to a layer of dust on Thursday after strong winds overnight triggered a dust storm, cutting visibility and affecting air quality. Winds blowing at 30 to 40 kmph stirred up dust late Wednesday. As a result, visibility at the Indira Gandhi International Airport dropped sharply from 4,500 metres to 1,200 metres between 10pm and 11.30pm, the weather office said. Since then, wind speed has reduced to just 3 to 7 kmph, making it harder for the dust to clear. Poor visibility continued into Thursday morning, with both Safdarjung and Palam airports reporting low visibility levels between 1,200 and 1,500 metres.

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The dust has also pushed Delhi’s air quality into the ‘poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 236 at 8am on Thursday. The weather office said stronger winds are expected during the day, which could help clear some of the dust.

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