Air Quality in Delhi Transitions to 'Moderate' Following Recent Rainfall
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New Delhi, Dec 30 (NationPress) The air quality in Delhi has transitioned to the 'moderate' range on Monday, aided by the remarkable rainfall that affected the city over the past weekend.
The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded in Delhi at approximately 6 a.m. on Monday was 183.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI ranging from 0 to 50 is classified as 'good', 51-100 as 'satisfactory', 101-200 as 'moderate', 201-300 as 'poor', 301-400 as 'very poor', 401-450 as 'severe', and values exceeding 450 are termed 'severe plus'.
Of the AQI measurements at 38 monitoring stations throughout the city, as reported by the Sameer app, which provides hourly updates on the National Air Quality Index, 23 stations recorded a 'moderate' AQI while one station, IHBAS, Dilshad Garden, registered a 'satisfactory' level with an AQI of 95.
On Sunday, Delhi experienced a maximum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, which is two degrees below the normal level, as stated by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The minimum temperature recorded was 13 degrees Celsius, which is six degrees above the seasonal average for this time of year.
The AQI for the past 24 hours was documented at 225 in the 'poor' category at 4 p.m. on Sunday. The AQI was 'moderate' on Saturday.
Delhi witnessed its highest single-day rainfall in December in 101 years between Friday and Saturday, with 41.2 mm of rain recorded in the 24 hours leading up to 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.
The IMD noted that the highest single-day rainfall recorded in December occurred on December 3, 1923, with 75.7 mm of precipitation.
The recent rains have made December 2024 the fifth-highest month for rainfall since records began in 1901, according to officials from the weather department.
The rainfall and thunderstorms over northwest and central India, including Delhi-NCR, were attributed to an active western disturbance interacting with easterly winds, as per the IMD.
Although the 'moderate' AQI offers temporary respite, residents should remain vigilant for possible fluctuations in air quality as winter advances. Historical data indicates that pollution levels often spike in Delhi during winter due to factors such as crop residue burning in neighboring states, increased vehicle emissions, and the use of solid fuels for heating. Variations in weather conditions also significantly influence air pollution levels. Winds can assist in dispersing pollutants, resulting in improved air quality. However, if conditions shift—such as a decline in wind speed or a rise in humidity—pollution levels may surge again.
