IMD predicts downpour for dust-covered Shimla

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Himachal Pradesh has predicted rainfall in dust-covered Shimla in the next two days. The Himachal town was battling high temperatures and dust-laden air the past week. 

"North-westerly winds carried dust to entire North India. Humidity was high in Himachal. With dust, visibility was poor here. Rainfall is expected in next 2 days, it'll clear weather," state IMD Director Manmohan Singh told ANI.

The weather department also issued warnings of thunderstorms, rain, and squally winds in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and western Himalayan region.

Chandigarh airport on Friday cancelled as many as 26 flights due to extreme weather conditions. 

Meanwhile, Air Quality Index (AQI) reports in the national capital indicated that PM 2.5 and PM 10 particles were in the moderate and severe categories respectively on Saturday.

In Delhi's Lodhi Road area, the PM 2.5 particles level was at the 169 mark, while PM 10 pollutant level was at 500.

Strong-anti cyclonic winds, blowing from Rajasthan, have been singled out as the reason behind the worsening air quality.

In the wake of the poor air quality over Delhi, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had on Thursday ordered to stop all civil construction activities across the national capital from June 15 to 17 to bring down the severe dust pollution.