Delhi AQI Improves to "Moderate" 123 After Rain, Relief for Residents

Delhi's air quality improved significantly to an AQI of 123, placing it in the 'moderate' category after rainfall hit the national capital. The Central Pollution Control Board reported areas like Anand Vihar, Dwarka, and RK Puram in the moderate range. The India Meteorological Department forecasts continued cloudy skies with possible rain and thunderstorms for Delhi-NCR. The CPCB's scale indicates a 'moderate' AQI can cause breathing difficulties for sensitive groups.

Key Points: Delhi Air Quality Improves to Moderate After Rain | AQI at 123

  • AQI at 123 in moderate category
  • Relief after rain across Delhi areas
  • IMD forecasts more rain and thunderstorms
  • CPCB explains six AQI health risk categories
2 min read

Delhi air quality improves to 123 after rain, AQI in "moderate" category

Delhi's AQI improves to 123 in the 'moderate' category after rainfall. CPCB data shows relief across areas. IMD forecasts more rain and cloudy skies.

"The Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded 123, placing it in the 'moderate' category - Central Pollution Control Board"

New Delhi, March 20

Residents in the city woke up on Friday to cloudy skies, strong winds, and a cold morning after the rain fell in many parts of the national capital.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded 123, placing it in the "moderate" category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

According to CPCB, several areas that remained in the 'moderate' category included Anand Vihar (176), Dwarka (118), RK Puram (176), Chandani Chowk (118), Bawana (123) and JNU (106).

According to CPCB, the AQI, which ranges from 0 to 500, is divided into six categories, each reflecting the level of pollution and associated health risks.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is classified as "Good", indicating minimal or no health impact. AQI levels from 51 to 100 fall into the "Satisfactory" category, where air quality remains acceptable, though sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues may experience slight discomfort.

The "Moderate" category, ranging from 101 to 200, indicates rising pollution levels that can trigger respiratory difficulties for people with asthma, lung conditions, or heart disease.

An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered "Poor", a range in which prolonged exposure can cause breathing discomfort to most people, not just those with pre-existing health issues.

Levels between 301 and 400 are marked as "Very Poor", posing a risk of respiratory illnesses even to healthy individuals when exposure continues for long periods. The most hazardous category, "Severe," includes AQI values from 401 to 500. At this stage, air quality becomes dangerous for everyone.

Meanwhile, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), similar weather conditions are expected to continue across Delhi-NCR, with light to moderate rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph and gusting up to 50 kmph.

The IMD said that Delhi is likely to witness a generally cloudy sky with spells of rain during the morning and afternoon on March 20. Maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures may range from 15 to 17 degrees Celsius.

The IMD forecast partly cloudy skies on March 21 and 22, with maximum temperatures gradually rising to around 28-31 degrees Celsius.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Moderate is still not good enough for a capital city. 123 AQI means people with asthma are still struggling. This is just a temporary fix by nature. Real change needs stricter action on construction dust and vehicle emissions. 🌫️
R
Rohit P
Woke up to such pleasant weather! The rain and wind have made a huge difference. Hope it continues for a few more days. Perfect chai-pakora weather now. 😊
S
Sarah B
As someone who moved to Delhi last year, the difference is palpable. I could actually see the sky today! It's sad that we have to rely on rain for clean air, but I'll take it. Hope the upcoming temperatures are accurate.
V
Vikram M
Anand Vihar at 176 and RK Puram the same... these are consistently bad areas. The CPCB data is helpful, but where is the action plan for these specific hotspots? The problem is not uniform across the city.
M
Meera T
My mother's breathing issues have eased a lot today. For families with elderly members, this 'moderate' air is a blessing compared to the 'severe' days we endure. We need sustainable policies, not just seasonal relief.

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