Delhi breaths easy as favourable weather reduces pollution levels by half

Delhiites breathed easy on Saturday as pollution levels in the national capital reduced significantly owing to gusty winds and rainfall in neighbouring areas.

The overall air quality index (AQI) fluctuated between 128 and 157, which falls in the moderate category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board's data.

Barring Dwarka Sector 8, where the air quality remained "poor" (238), most of the areas in the city recorded an AQI in the "moderate" category.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

Kuldeep Srivastava, a senior scientist at the India Meteorological Department, said winds gusting up to 88 kilometers per hour barrelled through Delhi and neighbouring areas on Friday evening, resulting in significant reduction in concentration of pollutants.

Also, rainfall in Punjab, Haryana, and nearby areas due to a western disturbance reduced the effect of stubble burning on the city's air quality, he said.

"Winds clocking 20-25 kilometers per hour will continue to blow in Delhi for the next two to three days, which is favourable for air quality. But, the direction will completely change to northwesterly October 21 onwards," Srivastava said.

Westerly and northwesterly winds bring dust from western regions and smoke caused by burning of crop residue in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana to Delhi-NCR.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality forecast and research service, SAFAR, said, "At the onset of westerly disturbances, sometime unexpected showers occur which wash away pollutants and provide respite for a short period but western disturbance withdrawal in two to three days will bring cold moisture and deteriorate air quality."