As per IMD reports, a dust storm originating in the Gulf area and Karachi, Pakistan, towards Rajasthan and neighboring Gujarat, coupled with warmer temperatures in areas along the Arabian sea including Mumbai has led to sand particles entering and polluting the air.

On Sunday, Mumbai woke up to hazy weather and dust-laden winds a day after light rain in the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had warned that hazy and cloudy skies have been reported over Mumbai, Pune, north Maharashtra and adjoining districts of Gujarat since Sunday morning and will prevail till early Monday.

As per IMD reports, a dust storm originating in the Gulf area and Karachi, Pakistan, towards Rajasthan and neighboring Gujarat, coupled with warmer temperatures in areas along the Arabian sea including Mumbai has led to sand particles entering and polluting the air.

The worst-hit was Malad, which recorded an AQI of 436. Chembur recorded an AQI of 347, Andheri – 340, Bhandup – 336, Mazgaon – 372, Worli – 319, BKC – 307, Colaba -221, Borivli -162 and Navi Mumbai 101.

Dust storm originating from Balochistan

The dust storm originated in Balochistan, Pakistan and was caused by a westerly trough combined with humid weather.

Winds carrying dust blew from south Pakistan areas and adjoining the Arabian sea towards Kutch and Saurashtra towards evening.

An IMD official said, ‘’dust storms accompanied by surface winds at a wind speed of 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph, was over Saurashtra and Kutch, and at isolated places over adjoining Gujarat region and south Rajasthan and impacted Mumbai and adjoining areas on Sunday. The Saurashtra coast has been getting dust-raising winds from Saturday evening. The Dwarka weather station reported 400-metre visibility. At Porbandar, the wind speed was more than 10 km per hour with visibility of less than one kilometer.’’

Dust storm from Balochistan causes haze over Mumbai, air quality drops to ‘severe’ – Cities News