- By Talibuddin Khan
- Thu, 15 May 2025 01:26 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pollution In Delhi Today: Delhiites woke up to a hazy sky on Thursday morning after overnight dust storms in the national capital and adjoining areas of Gurugram and Noida. The dust storms resulted in reduced visibility, and a massive dip in the air quality was also witnessed. The AQI in Delhi on Thursday morning was recorded at 236 in the poor category after remaining in the moderate range for the past few weeks, as per the data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. The weather department has predicted strong surface winds during the day.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the dust storms on Wednesday night were triggered by gusty winds that lashed the city at speeds of 30 to 40 kmph, covering the city in a layer of dust. The CPCB data showed visibility in Delhi-NCR dropping significantly on Wednesday night, falling from 4,500 metres to 1,200 metres at IGI airport from 10 pm to 11:30 pm.
The visibility on Thursday remained in the poor category and continued to fluctuate between 1,200 and 1,500 metres, well short of the usual 4,000 to 5,000 metres in the day. The city witnessed lower visibility as a storm and calm to weak wind conditions, ranging from 3 to 7 kmph, prevailed and prevented the dispersion of dust particles.
Delhi Air Pollution: AAP Corners Four-Engine BJP Govt
As the pollution levels began to climb in the national capital, the Aam Aadmi Party has started cornering the "four-engine" BJP government. Former Delhi MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that the AQI had peaked at 500 and that the official CPCB data was being shown as far less than what the actual data was.
"Four engine BJP government AQI reached beyond 500 Delhi has never had so much pollution in this season. The four-engine government has ruined Delhi in every area. Fraud being played with Delhi people Weather App tells AQI 500 Government AQI showing different data," Bharadwaj said.
Delhi's leader of Opposition, Atishi, also blamed the BJP, claiming that Pollution levels were touching alarming highs. "AQI has never been so high in May. CPCB's own data shows that from 2022-2024, AQI on May 15 never exceeded 243. Today AQI is at 500 Will BJP take responsibility for the worsening air pollution in Delhi? Where is Delhi's Environment Minister @mssirsa," she said.
