Best clean air streak for Delhi since October 2022

Meanwhile, IMD has forecast light rains to continue across NCR for the next six days, with overcast skies

The Capital recorded a “satisfactory” air quality index (AQI) for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday even as parts of Delhi received light to moderate showers, the India Meteorological Department said. This was also the longest streak of “satisfactory” air days this year.

Visitors enjoys pleasant weather at Kartavya Path, in New Delhi. (Hindustan Times)

The last time Delhi recorded a clean streak with “satisfactory” air days was between 6 and 11 October 2022. There were four days of “satisfactory” and two days of “good” AQI in October 2022, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.

IMD forecasts light rains to continue across NCR for the next six days too, with overcast skies. According to the Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi, the AQI is likely to remain satisfactory till Saturday. Met officials said there are chances of light to moderate showers on Thursday and Friday. “Similar pattern of rain will continue in the coming days. While rain is expected on all six days, there will be good rain activity on Thursday and Friday,” the official said.

Read | Delhi’s June rain now in excess, more likely till month end: IMD

Meanwhile, Delhi’s maximum temperature on Wednesday was clocked at 36.4 degrees Celsius (°C), which was a degree below normal. The minimum was 27.1°C, also a degree below normal. In comparison, the maximum and minimum on Tuesday were 34.8°C and 24.5°C, respectively. IMD said that while the maximum on Thursday will hover around 36°C, the minimum will be around 25°C. Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI on Wednesday was 93 — a marginal increase from Tuesday’s 86. It was 93 on Monday and 71 on Sunday.

The second longest streak of “satisfactory” AQI days this year was on May 1 and 2, followed by June 18 and 19. Delhi is yet to record a “good” air day in 2023.

Between October 6 and 11, there were three consecutive satisfactory days, with the AQI recorded at 79, 55, and 56 on October 6, 7, and 8, respectively. On October 9 and 10, it was recorded as “good”, with an AQI of 48 and 44, respectively. On October 11, it was satisfactory again, with a reading of 66, before deteriorating to 143 the next day. Rain helps settle pollutants, bringing down both PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations in the air. Good wind speed at the same time allows pollutants to disperse too, which further helps local air quality.

“The AQI is likely to remain in the “satisfactory” from Thursday until Saturday. The outlook for the subsequent six days shows AQI will be between “satisfactory” and “moderate”,” the EWS said on Wednesday. IMD data showed that Safdarjung, representational of Delhi’s weather, recorded 0.1mm of rainfall in 24 hours till 8.30 am, with no rain recorded in the next nine hours. However, south and southwest Delhi recorded rain during the day. Between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm on Wednesday, Palam recorded 13.8mm of rainfall, Ayanagar 24.6mm, and Najafgarh 2mm.