High pollution in Delhi-NCR due to dust storms from Rajasthan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 13

As a sudden haze descended upon Delhi and its neighbouring areas yesterday with air quality plummeting into the severely polluted category, the Centre today said high pollution levels during this time of the year were “unusual” and primarily due to dust storms from Rajasthan.

Rajasthan is facing extremely dry weather conditions, with high temperatures and wind speeds, the Environment Ministry said

According to the IMD, wind direction in Delhi since June 10 has changed to West and Northwest and then since June 12 to West and Southwest, due to which hot air, along with dust from Rajasthan, has started moving into Delhi.

“The current surface winds in Delhi are in the range of 5-6 m/sec and wind direction is West to Southwest, which is likely to continue over the next three days. Therefore, it is expected that dusty conditions will prevail in Delhi over the next three days,” it added

Meanwhile, major construction agencies, municipal corporations and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee have been alerted to ensure water sprinkling, as required.

The Environment Ministry has also asked the Chief Secretary to issue appropriate instructions in the matter to the agencies concerned.