'AQI at 79': Delhi breathes cleanest air after 10 years

NEW DELHI: Delhi recorded its cleanest July in more than ten years, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) for the month standing at 79 the lowest for July since 2015, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).The air quality falls in the ‘satisfactory’ category, marking a significant improvement in the capital’s pollution levels.The improvement in air quality comes as Delhi continued to witness intermittent rainfall through the week. On Wednesday, several areas, especially in south and southeast Delhi, saw heavy rain in the late afternoon. Safdarjung, the city’s base weather station, recorded 15 mm of rainfall between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm, including 14.4 mm in the afternoon alone.With 235.2 mm of rainfall recorded this July, Delhi has already exceeded the monthly average of 209.7 mm. On Tuesday alone, Safdarjung recorded 68.1 mm.Other rainfall readings included:Palam: 28.3 mmPusa: 12.5 mmJanakpuri: 11.5 mmLodhi Road: 7.7 mmNajafgarh: 3 mmAyanagar: 1.6 mmRidge: TracesThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Thursday would see light to moderate rainfall, with cloudy skies prevailing through the day. The monsoon trough, which passed through Delhi on Wednesday morning, later shifted southward, contributing to the evening showers. No colour-coded rain alert was issued.Mahesh Palawat, Vice-President of Climate Change and Meteorology at Skymet, said, “Wednesday’s showers were caused by moisture accumulation in the region. The monsoon trough is likely to move north towards the foothills, but moderate rain may continue in the next few days.”According to IMD’s classification:Light rain: up to 15.5 mmModerate rain: 15.6 mm to 64.4 mmHeavy rain: 64.5 mm to 115.5 mmVery heavy: above 115.5 mm in 24 hoursOn Wednesday, the maximum temperature at Safdarjung was recorded at 32.7°C, two notches below normal. The minimum settled at 25.8°C, slightly below average. Thursday's temperatures are expected to remain between 30°C and 32°C with continued chances of showers.The AQI on Wednesday stood at 66, improving from 72 the day before — both in the ‘satisfactory’ range.