Rain improves Delhi AQI, winter chill soon

Scattered rain and thundershowers in and around Delhi have dispersed the pollutants bringing the air quality index (AQI) to moderate levels of 121 on Thursday morning and the rains are also bringing down the minimum temperature paving the way for winter chill to set in.

The sharp improvement in Delhi AQI means it is at par with cities like Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad and others in the moderate AQI category, after a long spell of bad pollution.

According to Safar India, the overall Delhi AQI is in the lower end of the moderate category on Thursday morning. Under the influence of Western disturbance fairly widespread precipitation recorded in consecutive days in Delhi and its Northwestern regions has led to the improvement in air quality. There is a good possibility for rain in the Delhi region today (28th November) which may further improve AQI towards the satisfactory category, it said.

The model forecast suggests AQI is likely to deteriorate marginally to poor category for tomorrow and day after. The fire counts on Wednesday as per multi-satellite product estimate is 147. The stubble transport-level winds are easterly. No significant stubble impact is expecting in Delhi for tomorrow, the forecast said.

The rains and thundershowers are also indicating the advent of winter chill. According to Skymet Weather, the combination of rain and northerly winds has already turned the weather cold. "These winds are likely to continue and drop the minimums further, thus setting in the winter chilla, Skymet said. However, chances of any significant activity are less and rains would take a backseat after continuing for the next few hours.

During the last 24 hours, scattered rain and thundershowers were observed in northern parts of Delhi and its adjoining areas of Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad. These activities were accompanied by the moderate winds from northwest direction, which have done wonders in the dispersal of air pollutants, Skymet said.

As a result, AQI has entered 'satisfactory' category' in some parts (for the first time this season) with many other observing 'moderate' pollution levels at present.

According to Skymet, meteorologists, after observing winter rains coupled with isolated hailstorm on Wednesday, Delhi woke up to a rainy morning, as showers were seen in the northern districts.IANS