Delhi-National Capital Region has rare low air pollution day

In a rare respite for the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), the city's air quality index (AQI) on Wednesday touched 87, making it only the second instance this year when the air quality was in the 'satisfactory' category. The last time it happened this year was in February, Central Pollution Control Board data shows.

In April (up to Tuesday), there have been eight days when the air quality was 'moderate', while seven days saw 'poor' air quality with one day being 'very poor'. Since Tuesday, though, Delhi and the larger NCR region has experienced dust storms and thunderstorms. This has helped to wash away the pollutants and clean up air pollution. Not only Delhi, even Gurugram and Noida recorded 'satisfactory' air quality and Ghaziabad recorded 'moderate' air quality levels.

The Met department said on Wednesday that Delhi-NCR will experience more thunderstorms in the next two days with a 90 per cent probability on Thursday and 60 per cent probability on Friday. SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research), the Ministry of Earth Sciences agency, said that strong surface winds and rain spells were the chief factors that helped to drive down the air pollution.

In January, Delhi saw 13 days when the air quality was 'very poor', nine days were recorded 'poor' and seven days where it turned 'severe'.