The air quality in Delhi experienced a slight improvement on Tuesday morning, following rainfall and favourable wind conditions resulting from a western disturbance impacting northwest India. The overall air quality index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 354 on Tuesday morning, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) data.

The air quality marginally improved from the ‘severe’ category to ‘very poor’ on Tuesday morning after many parts of the national capital and neighbouring cities received light rainfall on Monday.

As of 6 am on Tuesday, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed AQI levels across different areas of Delhi hovering around 350 to 400 levels. The data indicates that Anand Vihar recorded AQI at 374, Shadipur at 301, Rohini at 397, and Siri Fort at 355. The Indira Gandhi International Airport (T3) has logged an AQI of 351, also falling into the ‘very poor’ category.

However, many parts of the national capital still reported ‘severe’ air quality on Tuesday morning. Notably, ITO has recorded an alarming AQI of 436, categorising the air quality as ‘very severe.’

#WATCH | Air quality improves slightly in Delhi with the rainfall the city received yesterday. Drone visuals from Signature Bridge.

(Visuals shot at 7:40 am) pic.twitter.com/Dt8pYSTE5z— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023

The Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi’s principal weather station, recorded a rainfall of 7.2 mm until 8:30 pm on Monday. According to an official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this precipitation contributed to a notable enhancement in wind speed, reaching 20 kilometres per hour. The improved wind speed played a crucial role in the dispersion of pollutants, reported PTI.

The air quality in Delhi is expected to improve further as the city is likely to receive more rain on Tuesday.

“Light intensity rain/drizzle would continue to occur over and adjoining areas of NCR (Ballabhgarh) Sohana, Palwal, Nuh, Aurangabad, Hodal (Haryana), Bijnor, Chandpur, Amroha, Moradabad, Sambhal, Billari, Chandausi, Jahangirabad, Anupshahar, Bahajoi, and other areas during the next 2 hours,” the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre (RWFC) predicted at 6 am on Tuesday.

28/11/2023: 06:10 IST; Light intensity rain/drizzle would continue to occur over and adjoining areas of NCR ( Ballabhgarh) Sohana, Palwal, Nuh, Aurangabad, Hodal (Haryana) Bijnaur, Chandpur, Amroha, Moradabad, Sambhal, Billari, Chandausi, Jahangirabad, Anupshahar, Bahajoi,

— RWFC New Delhi (@RWFC_ND) November 28, 2023

Meanwhile, a collaborative study between the Delhi government and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Kanpur found biomass burning to be the leading cause of rising air pollution in Delhi. This factor contributed 31 to 51% to the recent air pollution levels in the national capital.

(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)