Delhi celebrates rare clean air streak as AQI stays below 100 for 11 straight days
Delhi has experienced a record-breaking stretch of clean air, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) staying below 100 for eleven consecutive days. Triggered by consistent rainfall, lower temperatures, and improved atmospheric conditions, this development has offered residents a rare reprieve from the city’s infamous pollution. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more rain ahead, raising hopes that this spell of clean air may be extended, bringing continued relief to public health, environment, and overall city morale.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s AQI stood at 76 as of 4 PM on Sunday, well within the “satisfactory” range and marking the eleventh day in a row of relatively breathable air. The clean air streak began on June 26, when the AQI dropped to 94 after sitting at 134 just the day before. Since then, daily readings have steadily remained under 100—an uncommon occurrence in a city where smog, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollutants frequently push levels into the “poor” or “very poor” categories, particularly during winter months.
This prolonged period of clean air is a welcome anomaly and is being attributed to a combination of meteorological and environmental factors. Rainfall across various parts of the city has played a significant role in clearing the air of particulate matter and pollutants. Intermittent showers since late June have effectively acted as a natural cleanser, pulling harmful particles from the atmosphere and settling them onto the ground. Additionally, cooler temperatures have limited the formation of ground-level ozone, one of the major contributors to poor air quality in urban environments.
Temperature readings across Delhi have also contributed to the improved conditions. On Sunday, Palam recorded a maximum temperature of 33.5°C, which is about four degrees below the seasonal norm. In contrast to the intense heat waves experienced earlier this summer, this dip in temperature has further stabilized atmospheric activity. The minimum temperature at Safdarjung stood at 28.8°C, close to the average for this time of year. While the humidity level hovered at a relatively high 83% by the evening, the rainfall’s positive impact on air quality was enough to offset the discomfort.
Rainfall data from Sunday morning illustrates the widespread nature of the showers. Ayanagar recorded 11.7 mm of rainfall over 24 hours, while Palam witnessed the highest at 20.9 mm. Safdarjung and Lodi Road also received lighter, yet meaningful showers. The rain not only refreshed the city but also helped curb dust re-suspension—a common issue in Delhi that contributes heavily to PM10 levels. The city’s environmental agencies and meteorologists alike are cautiously optimistic that, if weather patterns hold, this clean air trend could extend into mid-July.
Looking ahead, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for Delhi, warning of continued light to moderate showers, along with possible thunderstorms and gusty winds. Maximum and minimum temperatures for the upcoming days are forecast to hover around 33°C and 26°C respectively, suggesting stable and favorable conditions for air quality maintenance. Though this is not a guarantee of sustained improvement, it is a rare and encouraging signal in a city better known for air purifiers than fresh breezes.
Beyond temporary weather effects, the ongoing improvement also raises important questions about the potential for longer-term air quality management. Environmental experts point out that while rain can temporarily clean the air, structural reforms are necessary to maintain such levels throughout the year. This includes stricter emission standards, expanded green cover, enforcement of dust control regulations at construction sites, and better public transportation options to reduce vehicular emissions. The fact that nature is doing the heavy lifting now should not distract from the need for long-term human-led solutions.
Residents have taken to social media to celebrate this unexpected reprieve. Many expressed joy over being able to breathe comfortably, walk outdoors without masks, and even open their windows at night without choking on smog. The rare visibility of stars in Delhi’s night sky was also widely appreciated, highlighting just how rare these conditions are. Some, however, remained skeptical about how long this clean stretch would last and called for government action to ensure it doesn’t disappear as quickly as it arrived.
While policymakers welcome the improved numbers, the current situation is also being viewed as a learning opportunity. If eleven days of favorable weather can produce such dramatic results, then surely a more permanent, policy-driven path to cleaner air is possible. The situation underlines the pressing need for seasonal planning and emergency response systems tailored to air pollution spikes, as well as public cooperation in minimizing individual contributions to air degradation.
For now, Delhi is breathing easy. And while the rains may pass, the hope is that clean air won’t be such a rare luxury in the future. If anything, this streak should serve as a benchmark—a target to surpass, rather than a fluke to forget.
