In news : Recently, the Dust-laden winds swept Delhi and pushed the air quality into the poor category and increasing the concentration of coarse particles in the air.
Key updates
- As per the forecasts, strong winds that are carrying dust to Delhi from Rajasthan are expected to continue for two days
- Reasons: A cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan and high temperatures over the past few days in northwest India is contributing to this phenomenon
- The city of Delhi witnesses long-range transport of dust nearly every year from Rajasthan, and even from Afghanistan, during summer months.
- With the recent dust wind along with increasing temperature has led to severe heat wave as mercury rising to a high of 40.1 degrees Celsius, eight degrees above normal temperature for this time of the year
- The IMD has recorded a wind speed of about 40-50 kmph in Delhi which is helping in transport of dust but preventing temperature from rising further.
- Particulate Matter: The concentration of particulate matter of 10 micrometres (PM10) coarse particles suspended in the air was 341 micrograms per cubic metre air (µg/m3) as of 5pm, against the 24 hour acceptable limit of 100 µg/m3.
- It was also reported that the concentration of PM2.5 particles that are smaller in size and are released from combustion activities was about 105 µg/m3, a little higher than the 24 hour acceptable limit of 60 µg/m3.
- As per the experts, the spike in PM10 concentration shows the impact of dust-laden winds on air quality, which, according to the Centre’s Early Warning System for Delhi, is expected to largely remain in poor category for the next five days
Source: Indian Express
