The city logged 61.4mm of rain in a 24-hour period ending Friday, marking the wettest single October day in four years and dropping the AQI to 60. In total, monthly precipitation surpassed eight times the historical normal, helping secure 22 moderate, three satisfactory, and five poor air quality days. The wet conditions also caused maximum temperatures at Safdarjung to plunge to 20.7 degrees Celsius, the coldest October reading since 1951. Experts stress that policymakers must account for these dominant weather conditions rather than crediting regulatory measures.
Key points
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa credited targeted actions and public participation f…: Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa credited targeted actions and public participation for the reduced air pollution levels.
Experts from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air argued meteorological patter…: Experts from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air argued meteorological patterns were the true cause of the clean air.
Delhi recorded only five poor air quality days throughout the entire month, reaching a pe…: Delhi recorded only five poor air quality days throughout the entire month, reaching a peak AQI level of 245.
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NEW DELHI: After two days of rainfall brought considerable relief from pollution in the national capital, Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday credited the government’s “targeted action” and public participation for the improvement in air quality, even as a report pointed to the significant role played by favourable weather conditions.
Sirsa shared visuals of India Gate on X, highlighting an AQI reading of 93 and describing it as “Satisfactory”. He said the improvement showed that targeted action was producing results.
"Seeing visuals of India Gate with a 'Satisfactory' AQI of 93 is proof that targeted action brings real results. Under the leadership of CM Rekha Gupta, our government is working round the clock on anti-pollution measures, but real change happens when governance is backed by strong Jan Bhagidari. A huge thank you to the people of Delhi for their active participation in our mission for clean air. Let’s keep working together for a healthier, greener Delhi!!" Sirsa posted on X.
However, Delhi's air quality improvement has coincided with an unusually wet October.
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