Delhi AQI: Delhi managed to avoid a sharp rise in pollution levels following Dussehra celebrations on Thursday with the city recording the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the “satisfactory” category on Friday.
The 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 88, breaking a 21-day streak of moderate or higher AQI readings.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 to 100 “satisfactory”, 101 to 200 “moderate”, 201 to 300 “poor”, 301 to 400 “very poor”, and 401 to 500 “severe”.
How Did Delhi’s AQI Drop?
A combination of rainfall and steady winds helped Delhi achieve better AQI readings. A similar weather pattern in 2022 had led to the AQI improving from 211 on Dussehra day to 79 the following day.
Pollution levels have always spiked after Dussehra in recent years. In 2022, the AQI climbed from 155 on the day of the festival to 224 the next day. A similar trend was seen in 2023, with the index rising from 220 to 243.
The city recorded its worst post-Dussehra AQI in recent years on October 26, 2020, when it touched 353, in the “very poor” category.
Meteorologists said rainfall in the morning, scattered evening showers, and consistent winds of around 15 km/h prevented pollutants from accumulating.
Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) data showed temporary increases in PM 2.5 levels at key monitoring stations on Thursday evening.
Delhi Weather Today
Delhi saw partially cloudy skies on Friday, with no rain activity. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a strong western disturbance over northwest India from October 4 to 8, with light showers expected in the capital on October 5, and light to moderate rain likely on October 6 and 7.
For Saturday, the weather office has forecast a partly cloudy sky. The minimum temperature is likely to be around 25 degrees Celsius and the maximum around 35 degrees Celsius.