Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan has said the situation arising out of dusty haze should become normal in 1 or 2 days. He said dust storm from Rajasthan resulted in deterioration of air quality and high levels of PM 10 in Delhi. Mr Vardhan said government has issued an alert, convened a meeting of task force and gave advisory to state government.

He also appealed to the people to avoid unnecessary exposure, given the prevailing situation. Dr Harsh Vardhan, yesterday directed agencies to be on maximum alert and take all measures to contain sources of dust.

Environment Ministry had said, task force under the Graded Response Action Plan met with the Central Pollution Control Board and recommended that construction activity-related enforcement measures be brought into operation immediately.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board data. the air quality index, a measurement of the concentration of toxic particulate matter in air, at several places in Delhi remained over 500.

Meanwhile, the Met Department said strong dust raising winds of 25-35 kmph are likely to continue over Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi and west Uttar Pradesh during next 24 hours.

It also predicted thunderstorms at isolated places over the city in the coming days bringing relief from the dusty air.