New Delhi April 16 A strong dust storm barrelled through the National Capital on Friday affecting visibility and air quality while cloudy weather and light rain brought the mercury down slightly in the evening the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Delhis air quality index also deteriorated to 252 at 6 pm from 238 at 4 pm. Tribune Photo: Mukesh Aggarwal The city recorded a maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. “A dust storm hit Delhi around 4 pm under the influence of a Western Disturbance affecting the hills. The maximum wind speed was around 85 kilometres per hour” an IMD official said. The visibility at Palam dropped from 3000 metres to 500 metres due to the dust storm. At Safdarjung it was reduced from 2200 metres to 1500 metres. Delhis air quality index (AQI) also deteriorated to 263 at 9 pm from 238 at 4 pm. An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered poor 301-400 very poor and 401-500 severe while an AQI above 500 falls in the severe plus category. The Palam weather station recorded 1.6 mm rainfall. Very light rain has been recorded in other areas the official said. The city recorded a minimum temperature of 20.2 degrees Celsius. On Thursday the capital had recorded a maximum temperature of 40.5 degrees Celsius the highest so far this season. The mercury is predicted to remain below 40 degrees Celsius for the next five to six days the IMD said. PTI

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