Delhi-NCR sees better AQI, temperatures after monsoon winds and rain. How long will it last?
Delhi recorded an AQI of 39, designated as good, with monsoon winds clearing pollutants and improving air quality, a rare sight not seen in three years
Continuous rains across Delhi-NCR have caused severe waterlogging on major routes and inundation of low-lying homes, prompting the Indian Meteorological Department to issue an orange alert for Friday, with parts of the region receiving over 160 mm of rainfall; while the monsoon has significantly improved air quality, bringing the AQI down to a "good" level of 39, a rare occurrence not seen in three years, environmental experts caution this is only temporary relief, emphasizing the need for long-term emission reduction strategies, and the weather is expected to remain uneven with less intense rain on Saturday, followed by sunny conditions and humidity from Sunday, before a potential moderate resurgence of rain around July 15, as monsoon clouds are forecast to become active over Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab, bringing heavy rainfall to those states.
Continuous rains across Delhi-NCR have caused severe waterlogging on major routes and inundation of low-lying homes, prompting the Indian Meteorological Department to issue an orange alert for Friday, with parts of the region receiving over 160 mm of rainfall; while the monsoon has significantly improved air quality, bringing the AQI down to a "good" level of 39, a rare occurrence not seen in three years, environmental experts caution this is only temporary relief, emphasizing the need for long-term emission reduction strategies, and the weather is expected to remain uneven with less intense rain on Saturday, followed by sunny conditions and humidity from Sunday, before a potential moderate resurgence of rain around July 15, as monsoon clouds are forecast to become active over Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab, bringing heavy rainfall to those states.
Continuous rains across Delhi-NCR have caused severe waterlogging on major routes and inundation of low-lying homes, prompting the Indian Meteorological Department to issue an orange alert for Friday, with parts of the region receiving over 160 mm of rainfall; while the monsoon has significantly improved air quality, bringing the AQI down to a "good" level of 39, a rare occurrence not seen in three years, environmental experts caution this is only temporary relief, emphasizing the need for long-term emission reduction strategies, and the weather is expected to remain uneven with less intense rain on Saturday, followed by sunny conditions and humidity from Sunday, before a potential moderate resurgence of rain around July 15, as monsoon clouds are forecast to become active over Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab, bringing heavy rainfall to those states.
The continuous rains in the Delhi-NCR resulted in severe waterlogging on major routes. Rainwater has entered houses in low lying area as roads became flooded.
The Indian Meteorological Department had issued an orange alert for the national capital region on Friday. The city has been seeing lightning and thunderstorms accompanied by very light to light rainfall. The wet spell is spread across parts of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
The heavy rains, however, are expected to decline after Saturday.
While the monsoon has brought a much-needed drop in temperatures and AQI, it has also brought traffic disruption and waterlogged roads. Parts of the city received over 160 mm of rainfall.
The current AQI in Delhi is 39, which is designated good by the Central Pollution Control Board. The monsoon winds have cleared up air pollutants and brought better air quality. The AQI is set to remain at similar levels for the next six days.
The current AQI levels are a rare sight and are appearing for the first time in three years. The last time Delhi saw “good” air quality was on September 10, 2023, Times of India reported.
Environmental experts say that the rainfall only provides temporary relief from the pollution and is not a long-term solution. The real challenge for the city is to reduce emissions to a level where the AQI remains good even during winter, when there is no rain to wash off and winds to disperse pollutants.
The weather in the NCR is set to be uneven for the next six days. The weather conditions on Saturday are set to be the same as Friday but less intense.
From Sunday, the sunny conditions will be back, along with humidity.
From July 15, however, the rains may make a moderate comeback. The chances of it raining on July 15 are 50 per cent.
The meteorological department said that the monsoon clouds will soon become active in Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab in the next 2-3 days. The states are set to receive heavy rainfall.