Delhi is currently breathing cleanest air in a year
Delhiites breathed the cleanest air this week, with monsoon winds washing away the dust and bringing the air quality in the satisfactory level for the first time in nearly an year, authorities said. The last time Delhiites breathed such clean air was in August 2017, a Central Pollution Control Board official said. The Air Quality Index (AQI) value for Delhi was 'satisfactory' 83 today.
Measuring scale of Air Quality Index
An Air Quality Index (AQI) between 0-50 is considered 'Good', 51-100 'Satisfactory', 101-200 'Moderate', 201-300 'Poor', 301-400 'Very Poor', and 401-500 'Severe'.
South-west monsoon brings respite from scorching heat, pollution
The south-west monsoon hit Delhi this week with light rain on Monday and heavy showers yesterday, bringing respite not only from the scorching heat but also from the pollution which had peaked to unexpected levels this month. "The air quality will further improve tomorrow and in the coming days," said Gufran Beig, a scientist at SAFAR, adding it can even touch 'good' level.
Air quality dipped due to dust storms on June 13
There was a dip in the air quality level on June 13 due to dust storms in western India that pushed the air quality level to "severe plus," bringing to light that emergency level pollution could be a "summer-time problem" too.