New Delhi: For the first time this year, the national capital registered “good” air quality on Friday, owing to continuous rains in the city. The incessant showers since Thursday managed to wash away the pollutants in Delhi’s air, giving the national capital its first “good” air quality day.
According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research institute (Safar), under Union ministry of Earth sciences, the air quality index (AQI) of the city was recorded at 43, which falls under the “good” category. An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor, and 401-500 severe.
The levels of Particulate Matter (PM)10 and PM2.5 were recorded at 39 and 26 microgramme per cubic metre (ug/m3) respectively, which are well within the prescribed standards of air quality. It is a feat for a city that is used to witnessing high pollution levels, which are usually three to four times more than standards of pollution watchdogs.
Rain has been lashing Delhi for a few days now, but it had failed to give any good air quality because of intermittent spells.
The peak monsoon months typically see an improvement in the city’s air quality as monsoon winds and rain settle the poisonous particles.
It may be noted here that “satisfactory” air quality was recorded in Delhi on July, 22.
Scientist Gufran Beig, project director, System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research, said that the air quality turned “good” because of continuous rainfall for two days in the city.
The meteorological department said that the rainfall the capital has received till now has been 18 per cent in excess of the seasonal average.
Since June 1, when the monsoon season officially began, the capital has recorded 294.3 mm rainfall, more than the 249 mm average.
The maximum number of days (92) since January this year was recorded in “moderate” category, followed by “very poor” (40). The air quality has touched the “severe” level four times till now this year.
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