Photos: Heavy August rains leave Delhi with cleaner air
Updated On Aug 24, 2020 11:05 AM IST
A streak of continuous rain spells in August have cleansed Delhi’s air –infamous for its pollution –and brought the national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) to the below 60 range which falls in the ‘satisfactory’ band. The capital has as a result been witnessing cloudy blue skies, the likes of which first emerged in the early weeks of the lockdown in March. IMD data forecasts another week of rains for the region which may just make this August the wettest in at least 5 years.
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Updated on Aug 24, 2020 11:05 AM IST
A rainbow over India Gate in New Delhi on August 21. A streak of continuous rain spells in August has brought Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) to below 60 which falls under the ‘satisfactory’ category according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)’s scale. (Amal KS / HT Photo)
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Updated on Aug 24, 2020 11:05 AM IST
Cyclists ride past Parliament House on August 23. An AQI reading between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’ with no health impact. A reading of ‘51-100’ is considered ‘satisfactory’, which means it may have a minimal impact on the health of people with sensitivities such as chronic breathing difficulties. (Amal KS / HT Photo)
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Updated on Aug 24, 2020 11:05 AM IST
Clouds over the city seen from the Civic Centre at Minto Road in New Delhi on August 21. The national capital’s air quality has even improved to ‘good’ this month on occasions of ‘very heavy’ rainfall, HT reported. August has so far seen two ‘good’ air days, when the AQI improved to 50, on both August 13 and August 20. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)
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Updated on Aug 24, 2020 11:05 AM IST
A commuter pushes his cycle under rain near Adchini in New Delhi on August 19. Delhi starts recording monsoon rain from June 1 and September 30 is considered the monsoon retreating date. The peak for rainfall activity is recorded between July 15 and the first week of August . However, the monsoon officially arrived in Delhi this year only on July 24. (Amal KS / HT Photo )
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Updated on Aug 24, 2020 11:05 AM IST
A woman walks past Ganesh idols placed along a road during rains in New Delhi on August 19. Peak rains were witnessed in August this year as a result, and especially the last week. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) scientists told HT that with another week of rain forecast for Delhi, this August will likely catch up to become the wettest compared to at least the last five years. (Manvender Vashist / PTI)
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Updated on Aug 24, 2020 11:05 AM IST
Monsoon clouds over Lodhi Garden with a view of Shisha Gumbad and Bada Gumbad and mosque complex in the background on August 22. A continuous spell of showers of late has washed out pollutants in the air. The first ‘good’ air day was recorded on March 28 with an AQI reading of 45, during the first week of the Covid-19 induced lockdown. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)
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Updated on Aug 24, 2020 11:05 AM IST