New Delhi: A strong dust storm coupled with a light drizzle this afternoon cooled the temperature and brought welcome relief in the national capital where residents have been reeling under a run of sweltering weather.
"An 80-km per hour wind started at 4.15 P.M. And brought with it a lot of dust. Visibility dropped to 500 metres at Indira Gandhi International Airport," said Rajendra Jenamani, India Meteorological Department director (IGIA).
According to him, the dust storm was an outcome of the extremely hot conditions yesterday which had pushed the mercury up to 43 degrees Celsius.
"When it gets too hot, a vacuum is created which results in a strong wind blowing in. Such strong winds that blow in dust are normal in northwestern India," he said.
The city also witnessed light drizzles which cooled the temperature.
Delhiites have been reeling under extreme heat for the last few days during which the maximum stayed above the 40 degree mark, touching 43 degrees yesterday.
Meanwhile, the minimum today was recorded at 28.5 degrees, three notches above normal.
