New Delhi witnessed a significant environmental milestone on Sunday, marking its cleanest air day in 301 days as the Air Quality Index (AQI) plummeted to 56, categorised within the lower bounds of the ‘satisfactory’ range. The last instance of such pristine air was noted on September 10, 2023, with an AQI of 45, falling under the ‘good’ category.
This improvement can be attributed to sporadic rains across Delhi and its adjoining regions, complemented by brisk winds, which have effectively purged pollutants from the atmosphere during the ongoing monsoon season. Experts from the Centre for Science and Environment have hailed the cleansing impact of the rains, cautioning that these respites should galvanize efforts to fortify measures ahead of the winter months when pollution typically escalates. They stressed the need for proactive strategies aimed at curbing emissions at their source to sustain these gains.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi has witnessed a total of six ‘satisfactory’ AQI days this year. The first such day was recorded on June 27 with an AQI reading of 79. Since the onset of the monsoon on June 28, the AQI has consistently remained below 120, underscoring a relatively cleaner air trend compared to the same period last year when Delhi experienced 21 days in the ‘satisfactory’ category. Looking ahead, the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi forecasts that the city is likely to maintain its ‘satisfactory’ air quality status until July 9, but anticipates a shift to the ‘moderate’ category by July 10. Despite no rainfall recorded on Sunday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts sporadic showers over the coming days, albeit subdued due to prevailing anticyclonic conditions over Central India.
Sunday saw a maximum temperature of 35.8 degrees Celsius, slightly below the seasonal norm, with minimum temperatures at 26.2 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal. Relative humidity ranged from 57% to 93%, contributing to the mild weather conditions. This recent period of improved air quality underscores the pivotal role of weather patterns in mitigating pollution levels, urging stakeholders to leverage these opportunities for sustained environmental stewardship and public health enhancement.
