Delhi's Air Quality Sees Significant Improvement After Light Rainfall
New Delhi experienced a welcome respite from pollution on Wednesday as a spell of very light rain accompanied by gusty winds sharply pulled down daytime temperatures and improved the capital's air quality. This meteorological shift prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to officially revoke stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), marking a notable improvement in environmental conditions.
Sharp Drop in AQI and Temperature Readings
Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) settled at 214 on Wednesday, placing it in the 'poor' category. This represented a significant improvement from Tuesday's reading of 249. With forecasts indicating that pollution levels are unlikely to deteriorate significantly in the immediate future, the CAQM made the decision to withdraw stage-II restrictions, which are typically enforced when the AQI crosses, or is expected to stay above, 300. These curbs had been in place since October of last year.
The weather played a crucial role in this improvement. Overcast skies, scattered showers, and strong winds contributed to a dramatic drop in temperatures throughout the day. The maximum temperature dipped to 21.1°C—a full 10 degrees below Tuesday's 30.9°C and approximately three degrees below the seasonal normal. This cooling effect followed an earlier warm spell where the city had recorded two consecutive days above 30°C, including a high of 31.6°C on Monday.
Rainfall Measurements and Meteorological Analysis
According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Safdarjung—the city's base weather station—recorded 0.5mm of rainfall between 8:30am and 5:30pm on Wednesday. Other monitoring stations reported varying amounts: Palam logged 2.1mm, Lodhi Road recorded 0.7mm, and Ayanagar measured 1mm during the same period.
A meteorological official explained the weather pattern: "Scattered very light rain occurred under the influence of a feeble western disturbance. Though temperatures dipped significantly on Wednesday, they are likely to start rising from Thursday onward." This forecast suggests a return to warmer conditions, with daytime temperatures expected to climb to 26–28°C on Thursday and potentially reach 31–32°C next week. Meanwhile, the minimum temperature, which increased to 15.8°C on Wednesday, is projected to remain between 12°C and 14°C through the upcoming weekend.
GRAP Restrictions Lifted and Future Monitoring
With the easing of Stage-II of GRAP, several important restrictions have been lifted across the National Capital Region (NCR). These include:
- The ban on entry of non-BS-IV, non-electric vehicle (EV), and non-CNG inter-state buses from NCR into Delhi
- Enhanced parking fees that had been implemented to discourage private vehicle use
- Limits on diesel generator use that were in effect to reduce emissions
The CAQM issued a statement explaining their decision: "Given the improving trend in Delhi's average AQI and IMD/IITM indicating that air quality is likely to remain in the 'poor' to 'moderate' category, the CAQM sub-committee on GRAP has unanimously decided to revoke all actions under stage-II." The commission added that stage-I measures will continue to be implemented across the NCR and will be monitored closely to prevent any further deterioration in air quality.
This development represents a significant step forward in Delhi's ongoing battle against air pollution, though authorities remain vigilant about maintaining improvements as weather patterns continue to evolve in the coming days and weeks.
