Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped to 184 in the moderate category on Saturday following Friday's rain and strong winds. This marks the first such improvement in over three months. Experts predict the respite will be short-lived.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi recorded a 24-hour average AQI of 184 on Saturday, a significant improvement from Friday's 282 in the poor category. This is the first moderate reading in over three months, with the last occurrence on October 13, 2025, when the AQI was 189. Noida's AQI also fell to 184, while Gurugram's remained at 225 in the poor category.
Friday's 19.8 mm rainfall, influenced by a western disturbance, marked the highest single-day January precipitation in three years, surpassing the 20.3 mm recorded on January 30, 2023. The maximum temperature settled at 16 degrees Celsius, the lowest for the month since January 10, 2024. On Saturday, the minimum temperature dipped to 7.6 degrees Celsius from 13.7 degrees the previous day, with the maximum at 18.2 degrees.
Winds of 18-20 kmph aided pollutant dispersion. Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet, stated, 'The wind speed remained high as predicted, leading to the dramatic improvement in air quality.'
However, the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) forecasts the AQI to be poor on Sunday, very poor on Monday, and poor on Tuesday, fluctuating between poor and very poor over the next six days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Tuesday, predicting light rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds due to a second western disturbance of lower intensity.
