Rain brings relief to Delhi as AQI improves to 264, after days of hazardous air quality in Delhi-NCR. A significant drop in the maximum temperatures by as much as 11 degrees Celsius as a result of an active western disturbance in north-west India, reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), settling within the “poor” range after rising to “very poor” to “severe” over the past days.

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Rainfall’s Impact on Air Quality

The rainfall provided natural cleansing action for the Delhi atmosphere by lessening levels of airborne pollutants such as PM 2.5 and PM 10 by bringing dust and smog particles to the ground level. Weather experts indicate that the rainfall combined with strong winds provides healthy conditions for the dispersion of the pollution levels for the short term.

In spite of this significant improvement in air quality, there has been a disparity in the quality of air in various areas of the city. Some monitoring stations indicated an AQI close to or surpassing “very poor” as a result of the rain, such as Anand Vihar (AQI = 300), Chandni Chowk (AQI = 313), and Wazirpur (AQI = 305). On the other hand, areas such as NSIT indicated a much cleaner state of air, as seen in the AQI of 113.

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Temperature Drop Offers Double Relief

In addition to the improved air quality in the city, the effects of the western disturbance were felt as the maximum temperature dipped in the national capital. The overcast conditions accompanied by rain were the two factors that were cited by the IMD as the reasons for the lowered temperature.

The residents appreciated the easing weather conditions, especially after having to contend with rising daytime temperatures that had contributed to smog build-up in recent weeks. The nighttime temperatures were equally lower than expected, creating an impression of having escaped the extremes that characterized the period.

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Short-Term Relief, Long-Term Problems

Just like that, the rain allowed people to breathe, but experts warn that air pollution could get a whole lot worse if the weather gets drier again and emissions keep piling up. For the capital, winter is the time of the year when it faces the greatest challenge since temperature inversions limit the dispersal of pollutants.

According to the officials and the weather forecast team, the progress made so far could be sustained only if there is a combination of good weather and the government continuing to take action against the sources of pollution. Rain brings relief to Delhi as AQI improves to 264, which is just a short but nice relief from the severe smog, a hint of how air quality can be affected by weather, even in the middle of big environmental problems.

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