New Delhi: Delhiites have to face pollution issues across the year; rarely do they get quality air. Sometimes the national capital transforms into the gas chamber. Currently, Delhi residents are enjoying joyful weather, getting relief from sweat and scratching heat due to continuous rain and strong winds. People of the city experienced the cleanest air of the year on Friday, thanks to persistent downpour.
As per the Air Quality Bulletin from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s AQI (Air Quality Index) was recorded at just 52. Earlier, on August 8, it was 53 and 56 on July 7 and 8, respectively. This level of air quality has been considered the ‘satisfactory’ category.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) clarified that this is not only the lowest AQI of the year but also the lowest from 2018 to 2024 from January 1 to September 13 (excluding the lockdown phase of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic).
As per the date revealed by CPCB, 252 days between January 1 and September 13, the air quality in 167 days remained in the’moderate’ and’satisfactory’ categories. During this period, people in Delhi didn’t receive ‘good’ air quality even a single day. Generally, the monsoon season lasts for four months, from June to September.
In fact, during this time, heavy rainfall generally washes away pollutants, making the air and sky cleaner. Sometimes, rainbows can even be visible. But this year, in spite of satisfactory rainfall in July and August, Delhi’s AQI never dipped below 50, meaning it never touched the ‘good’ category. It is needless to add that rain brought joy, and it is a blessing in disguise for the Delhiites.
