Delhi sees its cleanest air day since August 2020 | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Delhi sees its cleanest air day since August 2020

Oct 11, 2022 05:33 AM IST

Monday’s AQI reading was an improvement on Sunday’s reading of 48, and was only surpassed by the reading on August 31, 2020, when the AQI was 41.

Delhi on Monday saw its cleanest day in terms of air quality in more than two years, recording an air quality index (AQI) of 44 -- the second consecutive day that the Capital’s average AQI was in the ‘good’ category.

In terms of good air quality, 2022 has now emerged as the second most productive year with three good air days, behind only five days in 2020, a year which saw cleaner air largely due to the pandemic-induced restrictions. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)
In terms of good air quality, 2022 has now emerged as the second most productive year with three good air days, behind only five days in 2020, a year which saw cleaner air largely due to the pandemic-induced restrictions. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classifies an AQI of 50 or lower as ‘good’, between 51 and 100 as ‘satisfactory’, between 101 and 200 as ‘moderate’, between 201 and 300 as ‘poor’, between 301 and 400 as ‘very poor’ and over 400 as ‘severe’.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Monday’s AQI reading was an improvement on Sunday’s reading of 48, and was only surpassed by the reading on August 31, 2020, when the AQI was 41. It was also only the 13th day since 2015 -- when the CPCB started keeping records of the Capital’s AQI -- that Delhi recorded a ‘good’ air day.

In 2021, Delhi recorded only one ‘good’ air day -- October 16, when the AQI was 46 -- while 2019 and 2017 recorded only days when the AQI reading dipped below 50. (HT Illustration)
In 2021, Delhi recorded only one ‘good’ air day -- October 16, when the AQI was 46 -- while 2019 and 2017 recorded only days when the AQI reading dipped below 50. (HT Illustration)

Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said this spell of good air is largely down to favourable meteorological conditions, noting that the city has received rain over the last four days.

“Once the rains go away, AQI will once again start rising and with an early Diwali this year, air pollution will depend on a lot on adherence of the firecracker ban and the behaviour of farmers in terms of stubble burning,” she said.

The Capital received 21.8mm of rainfall in a 24-hour period from 8:30 am on Sunday, with another 0.2mm of rainfall added over the next nine hours. This light rain activity was accompanied with winds of 15-20 km/hr in parts, further facilitating dispersal of local emissions and pollutants.

However, the rain activity will not last long and is likely to reduce this week. “Rain activity will reduce considerably in the next 48 hours and only isolated very light rainfall will occur in some parts. Cloudy skies will continue to prevail till Wednesday and from Thursday onwards, no rain is expected,” said a met official.

In terms of good air quality, 2022 has now emerged as the second most productive year with three good air days, behind only five days in 2020, a year which saw cleaner air largely due to the pandemic-induced restrictions.

In 2021, Delhi recorded only one ‘good’ air day -- October 16, when the AQI was 46 -- while 2019 and 2017 recorded only days when the AQI reading dipped below 50. No such days were recorded in 2018, 2016 and 2015.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On