Showers, wind give small respite amid long spell of bad air

The Capital remained locked in a bubble of bad air for most of Monday, as a grey sheet tinted the city yet again and kept the air quality index (AQI) within touching distance of the “severe” zone, though steady surface winds and showers in the evening helped wash pollutants away to some extent.

- Snehil Sinha

Delhi recorded a 24-hour average AQI of 395 (very poor) at 4pm on Monday, just five points away from the severe category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) official bulletin. Though this reading was barely unchanged from 396 at the same time a day ago, it was a marginal improvement from 402 at 7am on Monday.

Still, a persistent breeze throughout the afternoon, and a sharp spell of rain in the evening helped ease pollution levels to some extent. At 8pm, for instance, Delhi’s hourly average AQI was 360. At 9pm, it improved to 351, then 341 at 10pm, and further to 340 at 11pm.

The 24-hour average was at 391 at 9pm, and eased marginally to 384.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Capital received 7.2mm of rain till 8.30pm,accompanied by thunder and lightning, resulting in nine flights being diverted from the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

This was Delhi’s first spell of rain since November 10, and the fortnight-long stranglehold of pollution has been unabated since November 12 (Diwali night).