Delhi: Air-quality beyond 'severe' due to dust-storm in western India
The air quality in Delhi today deteriorated beyond the "severe" level because of a ground-level dust storm in western India, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed. CPCB data showed the PM10 (particles with a diameter less than 10 micrometers) level was beyond "severe" at 778 in Delhi-NCR area and 824 in Delhi particularly, leading to hazy conditions and limiting visibility.
Such dust storms don't last long, air-quality should improve: Scientist
Gufran Beig, a scientist at the Center-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research Institute, however, said the air quality should improve later today. "Such dust storms accompanied by high-speed winds of around 30-40 kmph do not last too long due to which the air quality will return to normal by this evening," the scientist added.
An AQI of 401-500 is considered "severe"
An AQI between 0-50 is considered Good, 51-100 Satisfactory, 101-200 Moderate, 201-300 Poor, 301-400 Very Poor, and 401-500 Severe. According to CPCB, the air quality index at several places in Delhi crossed the 500-mark, with east Delhi's Anand Vihar area recording an AQI of 891.
