Sigh! Delhi Air Quality Improves After Rainfall

Delhi recorded its lowest pollution levels this year on Monday after the rains cleansed the air by washing away the pollutants. However, the air quality still stayed in the ‘very poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city reached 316. 

An AQI between 100 and 200 comes under the "moderate" category, 201 and 300 is considered "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", while an AQI between 401 and 500 is "severe." 

The air quality in the national capital has been oscillating between the upper range of "very poor" and "severe" categories for the past two weeks. 
This was the first time in past two weeks that the air quality was recorded in the lower range of the "very poor" category, the CPCB said. 

Saturday's rainfall, along with sufficient wind speed, was enough to wash away air pollutants to an extent and improve the AQI. The air quality is likely to improve further, much faster during the day, as a moderate surface wind speed is positively working to disperse pollutants, which is the key factor now to keep pollution in check under cool and foggy weather conditions," System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) quoted. 

However, it’s sad that the respite won’t last for long as relative humidity is high and temperatures are likely to drop further, which will hold the pollutants close to the surface.