Incessant rain in surrounding areas keep Delhi's pollution level in check

Incessant rain in areas surrounding Delhi kept the pollution level in check as clean, moisture-laden winds replaced the polluted air, officials said today.

The Air Quality Index of Delhi was reported to be at 110 which falls in the moderate level.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered "Good", 51-100 "Satisfactory", 101-200 "Moderate", 201-300 "Poor", 301-400 "Very Poor", and 401-500 "Severe".

The PM10 level (presence of particles with diameter less than 10mm) was beyond severe at 132 in Delhi-NCR and 126 in Delhi.

The PM2.5 level (presence of particles with diameter less than 2.5 mm) was 43 in Delhi-NCR and 45 in Delhi today, according to Central Pollution Control Board data.

Gufran Beig, a scientist at the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research institute (SAFAR), said incessant rain in surrounding areas of Delhi has led to the flow of clean moisture-laden winds into the city that is cleansing the air.

Delhiites breathed clean air last month after nearly a year. The pollution level has since been in check and has remained at satisfactory or moderate level.

There was a dip in the air quality on June 13 due to dust storms in western India that pushed the pollution level to "severe plus", bringing to light that emergency level pollution could be a "summer-time problem" too.