Dust storm hits Delhi, delays flights

New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) A layer of dust covered the capital Thursday bringing down visibility and delaying the landing of flights.

"A 60 km per hour wind between 4.30-7.30 a.m. brought with it a lot of dust. The visibility dropped to 400 metres at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI)," said Rajendra Jenamani, India Meteorological Department director (IGI Airport).

He attributed the dust storm to Wednesday's heat which had soared to 42 degrees Celsius.

"When it becomes too hot, a vacuum gets created which results in strong wind. It is a normal phenomenon. Such strong winds are normal in northwestern India," he said.

"The dust will remain in the air for the next few days," Met official B.P Yadav said.