Delhi’s dust storm triggers political storm between AAP, BJP after air quality dips to poor
Following the storm that was caused by strong winds blowing at 30 to 40 kmph on Wednesday night (May 14), thousands of residents in Delhi-NCR have reported breathing difficulties, irritation in the eyes, and coughing symptoms. India news | Trending
The air quality in Delhi and adjoining areas like Noida and Gurugram has significantly dropped on Thursday (May 15) due to a dust storm that hit the national capital overnight. While the weather conditions have brought discomfort to Delhiites, the dust storm has triggered a political debate, with opposition AAP claiming that the situation was “never this bad” when they were in power.
Following the storm that was caused by strong winds blowing at 30 to 40 kmph on Wednesday night (May 14), thousands of residents in Delhi-NCR have reported breathing difficulties, irritation in the eyes, and coughing symptoms.
Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped to 236 at 8 am on Thursday (May 15) after remaining at a moderate level for the last few weeks.
Opposition slams BJP
Former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote on X, “Air pollution was never this bad during AAP regime at this time of the year.”
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
WWE Backlash 2026 Full Results: Reigns beats Fatu; 'John Cena Classic' revealed
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
7 reasons why China is mass-producing Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter jets faster than ever
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Vijay goes off-script before reading formal oath of Tamil Nadu CM, jubilant fans cheer every word | WATCH top 5 moments
)
Gold Gala 2026: Priyanka Chopra Jonas stuns at the red carpet in vintage chikankari sculptural gown | See pics
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Flight Deck Boots': Why USS Abraham Lincoln sailors wear extremely heavy shoes
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Democracy Perception Index 2026: Sweden Tops, India outranks US and China - Check where Pakistan ranks
)
Why was a 22-foot gold statue of Trump unveiled at his Florida golf resort?
)
Pak Army chief says last year’s conflict with India was ‘battle of two ideologies’, claims strategy superioirity
)
Disha Patani to make Hollywood debut with Kevin Spacey’s The Portal of Force | Watch trailer
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Quantum leap: New algorithm unlocks complex materials beyond supercomputers, solving them in seconds
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet Top 5 Batters Fastest to 100 T20 Sixes
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
UFO Files: Released Tranche 1 still leaves many cases 'unresolved'
)
‘Will not allow any country to interfere’: Iran warns France, UK against any Hormuz deployment; Macron says ‘never envisaged’ it
)
All eyes on modern look: Vijay chooses black pantsuit over traditional shirt-veshti at TN CM oath ceremony
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why defense analysts believe China’s Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter program has entered a dangerous new era
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who will get Ted Turner’s fortune?
)
'I don't like it...': Trump rejects Iran's peace proposal, issues stark warning: War to restart soon?
)
US-Iran War: Reports Claim Russia Could Supply Iran With Unjammable Fiber-Optic Drones
)
Trisha Krishnan shares warm moment with Vijay’s family during Tamil Nadu CM swearing-in ceremony
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Gore-Tex': How the USS Abraham Lincoln crew survives icy Arctic winds
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
When did Vijay and Trisha first meet? Timeline of their off screen friendship
)
US-Iran War: Iran-Linked Media Warns Of Threats To Undersea Cable Networks In Hormuz
)
‘Confront the enemy’: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issues new directive after meeting military head
)
Iran launches fresh drone attacks across Gulf after threatening US
)
Iran mulls taking full control of all 7 undersea internet cables passing through Strait of Hormuz
)
North Korea amends constitution, mandates nuclear strike if Kim Jong Un is assassinated: Report
)
BLACKPINK's Lisa to perform at FIFA World Cup opening ceremony alongside Katy Perry, Tyla and more
)
‘Iran war not over until uranium is removed, facilities dismantled,’ says Benjamin Netanyahu
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many J-20 fighter jets are currently operational in China’s air force
)
‘Curb fuel use, avoid foreign travel and buying gold,’ PM Modi appeals nation to help tide over crisis
)
Iran claims US F-35 Lightning II fighter jet declared mid-air emergency near Strait of Hormuz – What we know
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
UFO Files: Pentagon launches new portal (WAR.GOV/UFO) with 162 declassified files
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Draft Limits': Why the USS Abraham Lincoln cannot enter most ports
Also read | AQI touches 500 mark in Delhi-NCR, citizens complain of breathing discomfort. Here's what has happened
AAP leader Atishi also said in an X post, “Delhi has never seen such high AQI during May.”
Citing Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data from 2022-2024, she said that AQI on May 15 never exceeded 243, adding that “Today, the AQI is 500.”
She questioned whether the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would take responsibility for the city’s worsening air pollution.
AAP leader and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia shared a screenshot of air quality index on X, claiming that AQI in the national capital had reached 500.
"The four engines of the BJP government are emitting smoke in Delhi. The AQI in Delhi is currently 500 -- meaning poison! Sunlight is not visible, one cannot breathe, eyes burn, and throat is sore. No planning, no accountability, no emergency plan. Only speeches and slogans," he said.
Watch | Trump Claims US Brokered Ceasefire Between India And Pakistan, New Delhi Objects
BJP minister hits back
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa hit back at opposition leaders saying, “It’s unfortunate that a former CM is using a natural sandstorm to score political points, especially when the real blame lies in a decade of neglect under AAP. Today’s AQI spike is due to an extreme weather event, not misgovernance.”
“For 10 years, AAP allowed Delhi to drown in mountains of untreated legacy waste, broken and dust-choked roads with ZERO accountability on pollution! AAP turned Delhi into a dump yard and now wants to shift blame every time Nature reacts. Atishi ji, but yes — we will clean 10 years of AAPda,” he wrote on X.
