New Delhi, June 14: The air quality of Delhi and NCR, which worsened this week due to the incoming dust from Rajasthan, has shown a slight improvement on Thursday. The AQI today was PM10 declining to 759 µg/m3 at 4.00 p.m from a peak of 823 µg/m3 at 5.00 p.m on Wednesday. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), dusty conditions in Delhi and NCR are likely to continue over the next two days.

The high pollution levels during this time of the year in Delhi are unusual and primarily due to dust storms from Rajasthan.  Weather reports informed that Rajasthan is facing extremely dry weather conditions, with high temperatures and wind speeds.

In view of the seriousness of the situation, Union Minister of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Dr Harsh Vardhan has directed concerned agencies to be on maximum alert and to ensure all necessary measures to contain sources of dust and to check garbage burning.  He also appealed to the people to avoid unnecessary exposure, given the prevailing situation.

Consequently, the Task Force under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) met in CPCB and recommended that construction activity-related enforcement measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)be brought into operation immediately. The Task Force also held a meeting with the construction agencies, municipal corporations and local bodies in the neighbouring cities of Delhi to ensure effective action on the ground.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 14, 2018 11:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).