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Why is a thick layer of dust covering Delhi-NCR? There's a Pakistan link
Delhi and NCR residents have been left confused at the sight of a thick haze in May. Last night, gusty winds and a surge in overnight dust led to reduced visibility. The national capital woke up to a layer of dust on Thursday morning that worsened the air quality. Here's how Pakistan fits in the fuzzy picture read more
Humayun's Tomb engulfed in a layer of dust, in New Delhi, May 15, 2025. PTI
Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) are used to witnessing polluted air. However, reduced visibility is a surprise in May. Residents of the national capital and NCR have been left perplexed at the sight of thick haze blanketing the sky. When they woke up, a layer of dust had worsened air quality and decreased visibility.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday (May 15) revealed the reason behind this. Here's what is going on.
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Why Delhi-NCR woke up to thick haze
A combination of gusty winds and a rise in overnight dust led to Delhi-NCR being covered in a thick haze on Thursday morning. As per the IMD, an incoming cloud mass moved over the region on Wednesday night, with sudden gusty winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour being reported.
This swept fine dust particles into the lower atmosphere, reducing the visibility and air quality.
Visibility at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport fell from 4,500 metres to 1,200 metres between 10 pm and 11:30 pm on Wednesday, reported PTI.
After the dust storm, winds calmed to 3 to 7 kmph. However, this prevented the scattering of dust particles, affecting the air quality.
As per the IMD, the visibility continues to be poor, ranging between 1,200 and 1,500 metres at both Safdarjung and Palam airports.
A westerly breeze of 10 kmph started dispersing the dust layer at dawn, with visibility returning to 1500 m at Palam, reported Indian Express.
How Pakistan features in Delhi's air woes
The weather department says that the overnight dust storms in Delhi-NCR can be attributed to dust from North Pakistan.
This dust was further carried by 'strong lower-level westerly winds' from Punjab and Haryana to reach Delhi and NCR on Wednesday night.
It worsened Delhi's air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropping to the 'poor' category.
As per Indian Express, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology said that at 8 am, Delhi recorded an AQI of 236 or in the 'poor' category. It also predicted that for the next two days, 'The air quality is likely to be in the Moderate to Poor category'.
The calm winds continued to plunge the city's air quality, which reached 249 in the 'poor' category at 10 am today.
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The air quality in the city had remained 'moderate' for the past few weeks. On Wednesday, the AQI was at 135 or in the 'moderate' category in Delhi.
The dust eventually shifted towards the east, improving the visibility. Palam has reported a visibility of 4000 m, according to IMD.
Political slugfest over Delhi's air pollution
Delhi's poor air quality sparked a war of words between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Former Delhi Chief Ministers Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi raised the issue on social media. The AAP supremo said the air pollution situation was 'never this bad' during this time of the year when his party was in power in the national capital.
Echoing his views, Atishi said that Delhi's AQI has never been so high in May. Citing Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data from 2022-2024, she said that AQI on May 15 never went beyond 243.
'Today, the AQI is 500," Atishi claimed, questioning whether Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa would take responsibility for the city's air pollution.
दिल्ली में मई में पहली बार AQI 500 पहुंच गया है। मई में ऐसा कभी नहीं हुआ। दिल्ली वाले सांस नहीं ले पा रहे।
अब तो दिल्ली में भाजपा में 4 इंजन की सरकार है, फिर भी प्रदूषण बढ़ रहा है। अब तो कोई बहाना नहीं बचा।
मुख्यमंत्री रेखा गुप्ता जी को भाजपा की नाकामी पर मेरा पत्र… pic.twitter.com/RdYZiqvETm — Atishi (@AtishiAAP) May 15, 2025
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Sirsa retorted, saying it was 'unfortunate' that a former CM was using a natural phenomenon to score political brownie points. The 'real blame' lies on the AAP, which 'neglected' pressing issues during its 10-year rule in Delhi, the BJP leader said.
FIRST YOU BECAME AAP-DA FOR DELHI NOW YOU ARE TRYING TO FIND AVSAR IN AAPDA
It's unfortunate that a former CM is using a natural sandstorm to score political points; especially when the real blame lies in a decade of neglect under AAP.
Today's AQI spike is due to an extreme… https://t.co/bXGC0DyO3P — Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) May 15, 2025
'Today's spike in AQI was due to a weather event, not misgovernance. But let's talk about real misgovernance Atishi ji… For 10 years, AAP allowed Delhi to drown in mountains of untreated legacy waste, broken and dust-choked roads with ZERO accountability on pollution!' the BJP minister alleged on X.
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UPSC Key: Domicile rules for Ladakh, G7 Summit and Volcanoes
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for June 4, 2025. If you missed the June 3, 2025 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here FRONT PAGE Domicile rules for Ladakh notified by Govt to address job and quota concerns Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance Main Examination: General Studies II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. What's the ongoing story: THE CENTRE has notified a series of regulations aimed at addressing Ladakh's concerns over jobs, quotas and cultural preservation. The new legal framework introduces a domicile-based job reservation system, recognition of local languages, and procedural clarity in civil service recruitment. Key Points to Ponder: • What is domicile? • 'The Centre has notified a series of regulations aimed at addressing Ladakh's concerns over jobs, quotas and cultural preservation'—What are the new regulations? • Why are these regulations significant? • What were the demands in Ladakh? • How are the new regulations different from existing provisions? • How do they compare with Jammu & Kashmir's protections? • What are the limitations of these regulations? Key Takeaways: • As per the new regulations, a person has to be a resident of Ladakh for 15 years to get a domicile certificate and be eligible for jobs, while the ceiling on total quota has been lifted to 85%, excluding reservation for EWS. Since Ladakh is 90% tribal, it would virtually give reservation to all the indigenous Ladakhis. • The regulations, issued come amid demands in Leh and Kargil for tribal autonomy and legal protection following Ladakh's bifurcation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. However, the regulations do not address another key Ladakh demand, to restrict land ownership by outsiders, which is behind the call for constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. • The most substantive change comes in the form of the Ladakh Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment (Amendment) Regulation, 2025, which inserts a clear domicile criterion for recruitment into government services in the Union Territory. • Under Section 3A of the amended regulation, a person is considered a domicile of Ladakh if they have resided in the region for 15 years, or studied there for at least seven years and appeared in Class 10 or 12 examinations. Children of Central government employees who have served in Ladakh for at least 10 years are also eligible. • Following a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah last week, a High-Powered Committee (HPC) comprising representatives from both Leh and Kargil had reached a consensus that anyone living in Ladakh for 15 years from 2019 onwards could be considered a domicile of the region. This was a climbdown from the earlier demand that domicile certification require a period of stay of 30 years. Do You Know: • The Union Territory of Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, 2025, updates the earlier Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004, capping overall reservations at 85%, excluding the EWS quota. It's seen as a way to streamline existing quotas without creating new categories specific to Ladakh's tribal demography. • This 85% cap has also been extended to professional institutions such as engineering and medical colleges in Ladakh, where the quota for SC/STs and OBCs was earlier capped at 50%. • Over 90% of Ladakh's population is ST, with Buddhist and Muslim tribal communities dominating Leh and Kargil, respectively. The 85% reservation allows near-complete representation for tribal and socially backward groups, aligning with Ladakh's demography. • By explicitly excluding EWS from the 85% limit, the regulation safeguards tribal and backward class quotas from being eroded by newer economic reservations, and addresses Ladakh's concerns regarding identity-based protections. • Besides, through the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, 2025, 'one-third reservation for women' is now mandated in these councils through rotation of constituencies. However, while LAHDCs in Leh and Kargil have played a key role in local governance, their powers remain limited, especially in the absence of Sixth Schedule protection. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍New protections for Ladakh Chill in ties, window closing for Canada invitation to G7 summit Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. What's the ongoing story: With less than two weeks to go for the start of the G7 Summit, being hosted by Canada in Kananaskis in Alberta from June 15-17, India is still to receive an invitation to the gathering. 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Canada has so far invited Ukraine and Australia. It has not released names of other guest countries. • France was the host of the G7 leaders' summit in Biarritz in August 2019 — after Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, this was the first invitation. • Before that, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had attended the G8 summit five times between 2004 and 2014 — the grouping became the G7 in 2014 after Russia's suspension, and subsequent exit, over its annexation of Crimea. • In 2020, US President Donald Trump called the G7 a 'very outdated group' and said he would like to include India, Australia, South Korea and Russia in the grouping of the largest advanced economies. Trump had suggested that the Group of 7 be called 'G10 or G11', and proposed that the grouping meet in September or November 2020. But due to the pandemic and the US elections, that did not happen. • Modi attended the G7 summit in 2021 via virtual mode, and then attended the summits in Germany in 2022, Japan in 2023 and Italy in 2024. Do You Know: • The Group of Seven is an informal group of leading industrialised nations. It consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. • As is customary in recent years, leaders from some non-G-7 countries and international organizations will also participate in some sessions. The leaders discuss a wide range of issues, including economic policy, security, climate change, energy and gender. • The first summit was in 1975, when France hosted what was then a Group of Six meeting to discuss tackling a recession that followed an Arab oil embargo. Canada became the seventh member a year later. Russia joined to form the G-8 in 1998 but was expelled after Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea. • Over the years, the G7 has evolved from an economic forum to a platform which aims to address a range of global challenges. While it lacks a permanent administrative structure, the G7 rotates its presidency annually and the presidency serves as a temporary secretariat. • Concluding with a communiqué outlining political commitments, the annual summit influences global governance, agenda-setting and decision-making processes. • In comparison, the G20, which was established in response to the 2008 financial crisis, is seen as a more inclusive forum. The Bruegel analysis argued that the G20's creation proved the G7's inability to handle-modern day crises. But due to its size, the authors claimed that the G20 was 'too big and heterogeneous to make decisions when not mired in deep crisis'. They proposed a reconfigured G7+, which would include a common euro-zone representative and make space for China, India, and Brazil, thereby better reflecting the current global economic landscape in terms of both GDP and population. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Knowledge Nugget: G7 summit in Canada — Historical evolution and importance for UPSC Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 1. In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20? (2020) (a) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey (b) Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand (c) Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam (d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea GOVT & POLITICS PM Modi to launch Aravalli Green Project tomorrow Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization. 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He had strong words on China's military capabilities and ambitions of annexing Taiwan. • Asked about NATO's potential role in Asia, Hegseth urged Europe to remain focused on Russia rather than overstretch its resources in the Indo-Pacific. Macron, however, had a different message. Do You Know: • The Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) is an annual international security conference held in Singapore. It serves as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among defense ministers and experts from various countries, focusing on regional and global security issues. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍An arena called Asia THE IDEAS PAGE The Centre, for the states Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. What's the ongoing story: B V R Subrahmanyam and Shashank Shah Writes: In the past 11 years, India has witnessed an era of cooperative and fiscal federalism. The Centre and state governments have worked together on socioeconomic transformation for the achievement of shared goals. Key Points to Ponder: • The Government of India has established NITI Aayog to replace what? • How are the principles followed by the NITI Aayog different from those followed by erstwhile Planning Commission in India? • Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog 2025-know key highlights • Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog 2025-what are the key takeaways? • What is the Governing Council of NITI Aayog? • Who chairs Governing Council of NITI Aayog? • The term 'cooperative federalism' stands for what? • How NITI Aayog has contributed to the deepening of cooperative and competitive federalism in India? 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Do You Know: • The pre-monsoon season was dominated by frequent western disturbances (4 each, in March and April and 7 in May), which brought rainfall over north and central India regions. In addition, these wind streams interacted with moisture-laden winds coming in from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, causing widespread rainfall and thunderstorms over the southern peninsular. • Soon after the southwest monsoon onset on May 13 over the south Andaman Sea, the overall rainfall intensity over the country picked up. Multiple, favourable atmospheric and ocean conditions prevailed which also contributed to heightened rainfall over large parts of the country, keeping the all-India rainfall average above normal during May 17 – 31. • The all-India monthly average temperature for May was 1.52 degrees Celsius below normal of 36.60 degrees Celsius. Upon receiving the highest May rainfall in over a century, central India's monthly average maximum temperature saw the sharpest departure from normal (-2.63 degrees Celsius) and it settled at 36.63 degrees Celsius. • Significantly, there was no development of a cyclone over the north Indian Ocean basin (Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea) during May. This is the first time since 2020 when a cyclone activity was missing in the basin in May, which is otherwise prone to peak cyclogenesis in May. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Why have rains subsided in Mumbai after a historic early onset? EXPLAINED WHAT CAUSED THE MASSIVE ERUPTION OF ITALY'S MOUNT ETNA Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World. 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At least 2,700 years of this activity have been documented. • Experts suggest that the eruption began with an increase in pressure inside the volcano due to expanding gases, which led to the collapse of the southeast crater, resulting in hot lava flows. • According to Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) Etna Observatory, the volcano was witnessing a 'Strombolian' eruption. This type of eruption is usually characterised as discreet moderately explosive bursts which can eject chunks of rock and cinders that can travel hundreds of metres into the air. It occurs due to the presence of gas in the magma chamber within the volcano. Do You Know: • According to the US Geological Survey: 'Volcanoes are openings, or vents where lava, tephra (small rocks), and steam erupt onto the Earth's surface.' • Volcanoes can be on land and in the ocean. They are formed when material significantly hotter than its surroundings is erupted onto the surface of the Earth. The material could be liquid rock (known as 'magma', when it's underground and 'lava' when it breaks through the surface), ash, and/or gases. • The rise of magma can take place in three different ways, according to NASA. First, when tectonic plates — massive, irregularly shaped slabs of solid rock that carry both continents and oceans and are constantly in motion — move away from each other. 'The magma rises up to fill in the space. When this happens underwater volcanoes can form,' it added. Second, when the plates move towards each other. 'When this happens, part of Earth's crust can be forced deep into its interior. The high heat and pressure cause the crust to melt and rise as magma,' NASA said. Third is how magma rises at the hotspots — hot areas inside of the Earth, where magma gets heated up. As magma gets warmer, it becomes less dense, leading to its rise. • According to the British Geological Survey, the type of volcano depends on the viscosity of the magma, the amount of gas in the magma, the composition of the magma, and the way the magma reaches the surface. • There are two broad types of volcanoes: a stratovolcano and a shield volcano. Stratovolcanoes have steep sides and are more cone-shaped than shield volcanoes have a low profile and resemble a shield lying on the ground. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍WHAT ARE VOLCANOES—AND WHY DO THEY KEEP ERUPTING IN ICELAND? For any queries and feedback, contact Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Priya Kumari Shukla is a Senior Copy Editor in the Indian Express (digital). She contributes to the UPSC Section of Indian Express (digital) and started niche initiatives such as UPSC Key, UPSC Ethics Simplified, and The 360° UPSC Debate. The UPSC Key aims to assist students and aspirants in their preparation for the Civil Services and other competitive examinations. It provides valuable guidance on effective strategies for reading and comprehending newspaper content. The 360° UPSC Debate tackles a topic from all perspectives after sorting through various publications. The chosen framework for the discussion is structured in a manner that encompasses both the arguments in favour and against the topic, ensuring comprehensive coverage of many perspectives. Prior to her involvement with the Indian Express, she had affiliations with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) as well as several coaching and edutech enterprises. In her prior professional experience, she was responsible for creating and refining material in various domains, including article composition and voiceover video production. She has written in-house books on many subjects, including modern India, ancient Indian history, internal security, international relations, and the Indian economy. She has more than eight years of expertise in the field of content writing. Priya holds a Master's degree in Electronic Science from the University of Pune as well as an Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from the esteemed Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, widely recognised as one of the most prestigious business schools in India. She is also an alumni of Jamia Milia Islamia University Residential Coaching Academy (RCA). Priya has made diligent efforts to engage in research endeavours, acquiring the necessary skills to effectively examine and synthesise facts and empirical evidence prior to presenting their perspective. Priya demonstrates a strong passion for reading, particularly in the genres of classical Hindi, English, Maithili, and Marathi novels and novellas. Additionally, she possessed the distinction of being a cricket player at the national level. Qualification, Degrees / other achievements: Master's degree in Electronic Science from University of Pune and Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta ... Read More
Economic Times
4 hours ago
- Economic Times
Canada is smoking out US as wildfires rage on in 3 provinces, New York on alert
Live Events Air quality index When do authorities issue air quality alerts? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Canada has been witnessing massive wildfires leading to diminished air quality in parts of the country and the US. More than 25,000 residents in three provinces - Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan - have been evacuated so far as the country battles against the intense the wake of the wildfires, New York City and the surrounding regions are under an air quality alert Wednesday after smoke from flames spread south into the US hitting air quality in many states. The alert will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 alert will impact the city, along with Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties, New York officials said, as reported by CBS from several active wildfires in Canada has been affecting air quality in many states, including Minnesota. According to the BBC, at least 3.4 million acres (1.4m hectares) have burned nationwide causing unusually hot, dry York City often witnesses deterioration in air quality in the summer, most often seen during heat waves as the result of soaring temperatures and rising humidity Air Quality Index measures air pollution and all the health risks associated with it. The system has six ratings: Good (green): 0 to 50, Moderate (yellow): 51 to 100, Unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange): 101 to 150, Unhealthy (red): 151 to 200 , Very unhealthy (purple): 201 to 300, Hazardous (marron): 301 and higherAn air quality alert is issued when the AQI exceeds 100. It is expected to be around 105 today, according to CBS wildfires in Canada have forced over 27,000 residents across Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan to evacuate and move to safer places. Manitoba has declared a state of emergency. The city of Flin Flon alone evacuated more than 5,000 people.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Canadian wildfires worsen air in the US: Which States are now under alert?
As smoke from Canada's relentless wildfires continues to drift south, large swaths of the United States are experiencing dangerous air quality and hazy skies. According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, there were 174 active wildfires burning across the country as of Friday, May 30. Of those, 94 were being monitored but were considered out of control and beyond suppression efforts. This unchecked wildfire activity is now impacting U.S. air quality. On Tuesday, the smoke blanketed the Upper Midwest, and by Wednesday, it pushed eastward into the Northeast, triggering health alerts in several states. Northeast under air quality alerts The National Weather Service (NWS) issued air quality alerts for New York City and surrounding regions including New Jersey and southern Connecticut, effective from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday. The agency urged sensitive groups—including children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions—to avoid prolonged outdoor activity during this period. Satellite imagery showed a wide plume of smoke stretching from the Dakotas, across the Midwest, and into the Ohio Valley, reaching as far north as New York and as far south as northern Florida, according to Marc Chenard, meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Would you like to know more? Undo Hazardous air across the Midwest Meanwhile, states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, and Michigan have already been dealing with polluted air. Early Tuesday, Minneapolis and St. Paul registered an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 226—a level categorized as 'very unhealthy' by The New York Times air quality tracker. Although conditions improved slightly to 182 by noon, the air remained dangerous even for healthy individuals. In Richfield, Minnesota, city-run outdoor events were canceled due to the combined threat of weather and air pollution. Residents in St. Paul posted images of dense haze and described a smoky, 'campfire-like' scent lingering in the air. As per the New York Times, in Marquette, Michigan, the haze became so thick by late morning that visibility dropped dramatically. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued an air quality advisory through noon Wednesday, warning that some areas may reach the red zone, meaning conditions could be hazardous for everyone—not just those in sensitive categories. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources also issued a state-wide alert through 6 a.m. Thursday, noting that even healthy individuals may be affected by elevated pollution levels. Canadian fires continue to escalate: How to protect oneself Canada's wildfire season began tragically this year. In May, two people were killed in Manitoba, where flames forced the evacuation of an entire town. Last week, dozens of uncontrolled fires broke out in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, displacing thousands. A cold front has been driving smoke across the border into the United States, worsening air conditions throughout the Midwest and Northeast. With wildfire smoke impacting large parts of the U.S., protecting your lungs and overall health is essential—especially if you're in an affected or at-risk area. Whether you're sensitive to air pollution or not, here are some simple but effective ways to stay safe: Stay indoors as much as possible Use good quality HEPA certified air purifiers Wear an N95 or KN95 mask outside Avoid burning candles, or using gas stoves inside Monitor air quality regularly on apps like AirNow or IQAir
