Rain on Friday brought relief for Delhiites from scorching heat and pollution which had peaked to unexpected levels this month with monsoon wind blowing away the dust bringing the air quality in the satisfactory level, said weather authorities.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) value for Delhi was a “satisfactory” at 83 on Friday. It touched this level on Wednesday after the heavy pre-monsoon showers, according the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “good”, 51-100 “satisfactory”, 101-200 “moderate”, 201-300 “poor”, 301-400 “very poor”, and 401-500 “severe”.
The last time Delhiites breathed such clean air was in August last year, a CPCB official said.
“The air quality will further improve tomorrow (Saturday) and in the coming days. The monsoon winds cleaned the dusty air and brought the air quality to satisfactory level,” said Gufran Beig, scientist at the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research institute (SAFAR).
The air quality may improve to the ‘good’ level in the coming days, he added.
There was a dip in the air quality level on June 13 due to dust storms in western India that pushed the air quality level to “severe plus,” bringing to light that emergency level pollution could be a “summer-time problem” too.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the south-west monsoon hit the city this week with light rain on Monday and heavy showers on Thursday, bringing respite to the residents.