Delhi’s Air Quality Improves, Hits ‘Poor’ Zone's Lower End

Delhi’s air quality improved to the lower end of the “poor” category on Wednesday, with strong winds and sunny skies helping to disperse pollutants. The average AQI was 205, the lowest since October, and meteorologists predict further improvement, though pollution could spike later in December with colder conditions.

Delhi's air quality saw a notable improvement on Wednesday, slipping to the lower range of the "poor" category. Bright sunshine and strong surface winds contributed significantly to dispersing pollutants, with the city recording its lowest Air Quality Index (AQI) since mid-October.

The average AQI was 205 at 9 am, a drop from 268 on Tuesday and 280 on Monday. Notably, several monitoring stations reported “moderate” air quality levels. The highest AQI was 283 (Shadipur), while the lowest was 152 (ITO).

Meteorological factors played a crucial role. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and private forecaster Skymet, surface winds reaching up to 20 km/h and the absence of fog enhanced visibility and air quality. IMD reported the day’s lowest visibility at 1,200 meters and a minimum temperature of 12°C, aiding pollutant dispersion.

The Early Warning System for Delhi predicts continued “poor” AQI until Friday, with further improvement likely. However, meteorologists caution that pollution could rise again in the latter half of December due to falling temperatures, reduced wind speeds, and potential fog.

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Delhi’s air quality last December averaged 348 AQI, with several “severe” air quality days. This year, meteorologists forecast a milder December with above-normal temperatures, potentially mitigating extreme pollution levels.