Overnight dust storm leaves Delhi with poor AQI, low visibility

Delhi-NCR air quality poor due to dust storms, causing visibility issues and health concerns, with advice for residents.

Air quality of Delhi and other parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) are in the upper end of the “poor” category on Thursday (May 15, 2025), as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. A layer of dust blanketed Delhi-NCR on Thursday (May 15, 2025) morning following overnight dust storms, which reduced visibility and caused a drop in the air quality.

“Dust advected from North Pakistan towards Delhi NCR across Punjab and Haryana under the influence of strong lower level westerly winds over Punjab and Haryana. It has been gradually moving eastwards leading to improvement in visibility over Palam (in Delhi) which is currently reporting 4000m,” an IMD official said.

However, this dust is gradually moving eastwards, improving visibility in the region. Palam, for instance, is currently reporting visibility of 4,000 metres.

The dust storms were triggered by gusty winds sweeping at 30 to 40 kmph, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Visibility at the Indira Gandhi International Airport dropped from 4,500 metres to 1,200 metres between 10 pm and 11:30 pm on Wednesday.

Following the storm, calm to weak wind conditions ranging from 3 to 7 kmph have prevailed, preventing the dispersion of dust particles.

As a result, visibility continues to be poor, fluctuating between 1,200 and 1,500 metres at both Safdarjung and Palam airports, the IMD added.