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Time of India
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Why Delhi Turned Into A Sudden Dust Bowl
New Delhi: A thick layer of haze blanketed Delhi and neighbouring regions in the National Capital Region, causing poor visibility for nearly 11 hours from Wednesday night to Thursday morning. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now At Indira Gandhi International Airport, visibility levels deteriorated within 90 minutes on Wednesday night from 4,500 metres at 10pm to 1,200 metres at 11.30pm. Met officials explained that the visibility was affected by strong dust-laden winds from western Rajasthan. Not surprisingly, the dust caused the city's air quality to fall to the 'poor' category with an Air Quality Index of 292 at 4pm on Thursday when the Central Pollution Control Board released its pollution bulletin. By 7pm, the AQI worsened to fall in the 'very poor' category at 305. A day earlier at 4pm, AQI was 135 in the 'moderate' category and was forecast to stay within the same range on Thursday. According to the India Meteorological Department, the visibility at Safdarjung, the city's base weather station, fell due to dust with the lowest reading of 1,500m at 8.30am on Thursday. RK Jenamani, senior scientist, IMD, said sudden winds hit Palam a speed of 30-40 kmph and though the winds slowed down to 3-7 kmph after this, the visibility remained poor at 1,200-1,500 metres at both Safdarjung and Palam because of the presence of dust in the air. An IMD statement explained that there was a high north-south pressure gradient over northwest India, which caused strong dust-raising surface winds of 30-40 kmph over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and north Rajasthan from the night of May 14 to the morning of May 15. "Under the influence of these strong winds, dust was advected from west Rajasthan to Delhi NCR across north Rajasthan, south Punjab and south Haryana, leading to a reduction in visibility with IGI Airport reporting the lowest visibility of 1,200 metres intermittently during the period," the statement said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It added that IMD Jaipur predicted a dust storm over Rajasthan for May 14, while IMD Delhi forecast thundery development accompanied by strong wind speed of 15-25 kmph, gusting up to 35 kmph. Visibility improved during the day. "The dust gradually moved eastwards and Palam reported a visibility of 4,000m at 1 pm," said Krishna Mishra, IMD scientist. Abhishek Kar, senior programme lead, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), said, "Dust storms are common before the onset of monsoon in north India. This is a natural source of air pollution, so we cannot avoid elevated pollution levels. We only need to protect ourselves from exposure." He added, "The authorities should leverage the available forecasting information on the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) and the weather bulletins of the India Meteorological Department and provide timely guidance to citizens before such episodes to help them reduce their exposure by wearing masks." The maximum temperature on Thursday was 40.6 degrees Celsius, one above normal and slightly higher than Wednesday's 40.4 degrees. IMD predicted chances of very light rain in the city on Friday evening till Saturday morning, with thunderstorms and gusts reaching up to 50kmph. The mercury is likely to be 40-42 degrees Celsius on Friday and 39-41 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Despite the AQI falling in the 'very poor' category on Thursday night, the Commission for Air Quality Management decided not to invoke Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan because it felt that the AQI level would fall from its high point. Explaining this, a CAQM statement said, "The sudden and sharp deterioration in AQI to long-range transport of dust caused by substantial wind speeds is purely episodic in nature. Further, the forecast by IMD/IITM also predicts the overall AQI of Delhi to fall back to the 'moderate' category in the coming days. However, the PM2.5/PM10 concentrations started to decline significantly after 8am on Thursday, and this trend is expected to continue further with no adverse meteorological factors and subsiding of the dust storm." The pollution management panel will review the situation on Friday. There was a political exchange of words over the haze on Thursday, with AAP claiming that AQI had crossed 500 in many areas of Delhi-NCR due to "dust and poisonous air". AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal posted on X: "Air pollution was never this bad during the AAP regime at this time of the year." Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva countered that citing the effect of the dust storm as proof of deteriorating pollution situation in May was evidence of AAP's deceitful and dishonest politics.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Showers to continue in Delhi, heat set to return from Tuesday: IMD
The scattered rain that brought brief respite to Delhi and its surrounding areas on Saturday left residents with mixed feelings, as humid heat returned by the by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) mentioned similar conditions will prevail on Sunday. It is not likely to rain on Monday and Tuesday, and the dry westerlies are also expected to lead to a rise in temperature and fall in humidity. 'Cloudy skies persisted throughout Saturday and is expected to continue over the next week as well. Very light rain, accompanied by thunderstorm or lightning and strong surface winds of speed 30-40kmph, gusting upto 50kmph, are expected on Sunday as well,' a Met official said. Surface winds at 15-25kmph, occasionally rising to 35kmph are expected to continue on Monday and Tuesday as well, the official added. Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet, said, 'There might be isolated rain in parts of Delhi on Sunday but after that, chances are very low. The western disturbance impacting the region will pass. Moreover, the cyclonic circulation over northeast Rajasthan had also been impacting the weather activity, which is expected to subside.' 'Following this, dry westerlies will start flowing in the region, as a result of which temperature is expected to rise and humidity is expected to decrease,' Palawat added. Safdarjung, representative of Delhi's weather, received 12.8mm of rain between 11.30am and 2.30pm. Palam received 5.3mm of rain in 24 hours till 8.30am on Saturday and then 3.1mm of rain between 11.30am and 2.30pm. Other weather stations like Lodhi Road and SPS Mayur Vihar received 17.5mm and 13.5mm rainfall in the afternoon as well. No rain was recorded after that till 5.30pm. Delhi's maximum temperature was recorded at 35.9 degrees Celsius (°C) on Saturday, which was 3.4°C above normal and down from 36.7°C a day before. The minimum was logged at 25.8°C — marginally up from the normal 25.1°C and Friday's 25.7°C. According to forecast by IMD, the maximum temperature is likely to be around 37-38°C on Sunday and then 39-41°C by Tuesday. The minimum, too, is expected to rise and reach 27-29°C by Monday. The city's air quality, meanwhile, deteriorated but continued to remain in the 'moderate' category. The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 189 (moderate) at 4pm on Saturday, as compared to 151 the day before, according to Central Pollution Control Board's daily national bulletin. Forecasts by Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) for Delhi suggest that the air quality is expected to remain in the 'moderate' category for the next two days and then deteriorate to 'poor' by Tuesday. 'The air quality is likely to be in the moderate category from Sunday to Monday and poor on Tuesday. The outlook for the subsequent six days is that the air quality is likely to be in the poor to moderate category,' the AQEWS bulletin stated on Saturday evening.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Pune city receives 11.2 mm rainfall; second-highest May rainfall since 2022
After experiencing cloudy weather for two to three days, Pune city and the ghat areas have received a good amount of rainfall on Friday, May 9. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city received 11.2 mm rainfall till 5.30 pm on Friday, which is the second highest rainfall in any May since 2022. As per the forecast, the city is likely to experience rainfall activity for the next 48 hours. On Friday, Shivajinagar recorded 11.2 mm rainfall which is the second highest rainfall in any May since 2022. The highest rainfall (40.6 mm) was recorded earlier in May 2024. Whereas 9.2 mm rainfall was reported in May 2023. No rainfall was reported in May 2022. The highest one-day rainfall (27 mm) was recorded in Shivajinagar in May 2021. Apart from Shivajinagar, areas such as Katraj, Kondhwa, Wakad, Aundh, Baner and the central parts of the city received good rainfall. Hadapsar and Pashan recorded the highest rainfall as 17.5 mm and 17 mm, respectively, on Friday. In Pune district, Rajgurunagar recorded the highest rainfall as 31.5 mm. According to the IMD, multiple weather systems are active over the country including a western disturbance seen as a cyclonic circulation over north Pakistan and the neighbourhood in lower and middle tropospheric levels. Another fresh western disturbance seen as a trough in middle tropospheric westerlies runs roughly along longitude 55 degrees East to the north of latitude 27 degrees North. Moreover, there is an upper air cyclonic circulation over northeast Rajasthan and the neighbourhood in lower and middle tropospheric levels. A trough runs from the east-central Arabian Sea to cyclonic circulation over northeast Rajasthan and the neighbourhood in lower and middle tropospheric levels. Also, a north-south trough runs from north interior Karnataka to the Gulf of Mannar across Rayalaseema and Tamil Nadu in lower tropospheric levels. Under the influence of these systems, rainfall activity is being observed in many areas including Maharashtra. This condition is likely to persist for the next 48 hours. In Pune, the city and ghat areas are likely to experience rainfall activity in the next 48 hours and a yellow alert for the same has been issued by the IMD, said S D Sanap, senior meteorologist, IMD Pune. Good air quality As the city has been experiencing cloudy weather conditions for the last two to three days and unseasonal rainfall on May 9, the air quality in the city has improved significantly. According to data by Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), the air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 74 which is a 'satisfactory' level air quality. While most of the air quality monitoring stations in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad reported AQI below 100, monitoring stations like Hadapsar (104), MIT-Kothrud (135) and Karve Road (233) reported the highest AQI. In Karve Nagar, with a significant rise in air pollution, the AQI was reported at 'poor' levels throughout the day.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Delhi logs light rain, yellow alert on till Friday
New Delhi Visitors to Kartavya Path enjoy a spell of rain. (RAJ K RAJ /HT PHOTO) Delhi on Wednesday experienced light rainfall at isolated stretches and also recorded spells of lighting accompanied by strong surface winds, prompting the authorities to issue a yellow alert for Thursday and Friday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Officials said that there was no alert in place for Wednesday, but this was changed to a yellow alert during the day as gusty winds started approaching the Capital by late afternoon. They said heavy rainfall has been recorded in many areas across the country as the southwest monsoon is likely advancing towards the Arabian Sea. IMD predicted a partly cloudy sky for Thursday, and a generally cloudy sky towards the evening. 'Very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorm, lightning and strong surface winds during evening to night is expected. Wind speed may increase temporarily up to 30-40kmph, gusting to 50kmph, during the thunderstorm. The maximum and minimum temperatures over Delhi are likely to be in the range of 36 degrees Celsius (°C) to 38°C and 24°C to 26°C respectively,' an IMD official said. Officials said the Capital could expect light rain on Friday and Saturday as well. Rain and cloudy conditions since Wednesday afternoon brought down the mercury level, and winds in the evening gave the Capital a chilly feel. The minimum temperature on Wednesday at the Safdarjung observatory, Delhi's base weather station, was 24.8°C, about 0.3°C below normal for this time of the year, but 2.1°C more than the minimum recorded a day before. The maximum temperature was 36.5°C, which was 2.8°C below normal. IMD has forecast the maximum to remain in the 34-36°C zone on Thursday, but then increase by a couple of degrees over the next two days. However, no heatwave condition has been predicted for the next week. Experts said the frequent rain spells in March and April can be attributed to the western disturbances hitting the northern plains more frequently this year. 'One after another, multiple western disturbances have been hitting the northern plains that are usually restricted to the lower Himalayas by the end of March. This, combined with cyclonic circulations from the Arabian Sea and moisture from Rajasthan side, are bringing frequent rains,' said Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet. He said that the scattered light rainy conditions, thunderstorms and winds are likely to continue for the next four to five days and the temperature is likely to stay below normal. The wind and rain also helped reduce pollution levels in Delhi on Wednesday as the city recorded a 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) of 153 ('moderate'), according to the Central Pollution Control Board's daily national bulletin. The AQI was 141 ('moderate') the day before. The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) for Delhi has forecasted the AQI to stay in the 'moderate' category until Saturday at the earliest. 'The air quality is likely to be in the moderate category from Thursday to Saturday. The outlook for the subsequent six days is that the air quality is likely to be in the moderate category,' the AQEWS bulletin said on Wednesday evening.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Delhi: IMD issues orange alert for Monday; days to get cloudier
Mercury in Delhi remained below the season's normal on Sunday, with the maximum temperature at 36 degrees Celsius (°C), which was 3.3°C below the normal and minimum temperature at 24.2°C — 0.5°C below normal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Monday warning the residents for thunderstorm and strong surface winds of 40-50kmph by late evening. The temperatures are likey to remain below normal over the next few days, IMD's forecast mentioned. The weather department had previously issued a yellow alert for Monday but later updated to an orange alert . 'Generally cloudy skies are likely to persist over the week till Thursday with very light rain and sustained wind. Light rain was observed on Sunday with clouds over several parts of the city during the day. IMD has issued an orange alert for the day. Light rain is likely later in the night, accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning. Strong surface winds are also expected, at 40-50kmph and later gusting to 60kmph during the thunderstorm,' a Met official said. No alerts have been issued for Wednesday but the Capital may witness very light to light rain accompanied with thunderstorm. 'The heat wave conditions are not likely to return during the week and the maximum temperature will remain below 36-37°C,' the official added. Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet, said cells are forming towards Haryana which may lead to patchy rain in the next few days. 'One may observe 5-10 minutes of intense rain at few places but it is not likely to be as intense as the Friday storm. Over the week, the weather will be cloudy with below normal maximum temperature...A western disturbance persisting as a cyclonic circulation over south Punjab, Haryana and north-west Rajasthan along with circulation over south-west Rajasthan are causing these per-monsoon weather activities over north-west India,' Palawat added. The air quality of the city, meanwhile, deteriorated slightly and continued to be in the poor category. The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 232 at 4pm on Sunday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board's daily national bulletin. The AQI was 180 (moderate) a day before and 145 on Friday. The Air Quality Early Warning system (AQEWS) for Delhi has forecast the AQI will be in moderate category from Monday till Wednesday. 'The air quality is likely to be in the 'moderate' category from May 5 to May 7. The outlook for the subsequent six days is that the air quality is likely to be in the 'moderate' to 'poor' category,' the AQEWS bulletin stated on Sunday evening.
