Delhi’s February Air Quality Hits Lowest Since 2016
New Delhi: Data from the Central Pollution Control Board reveals that Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) for February stood at 220 until Monday, marking the lowest figure since 2016.
Although the average AQI was lower compared to previous years, the air quality remained in the “poor” category. Experts attributed this to favorable meteorological conditions, including rain and strong winds, which prevented a significant rise in AQI on most days.
An analysis of CPCB data, which has been calculating AQI since April 2015, indicates that the average air quality readings for February were as follows: 293 in 2016, 267 in 2017, 243 in 2018, 242 in 2019, 241 in 2020, 288 in 2021, 225 in 2022, and 237 in 2023.
However, there was a streak of four consecutive “very poor” days this month, with AQI ranging between 301 and 400. Wednesday’s AQI was recorded at 141, falling within the “moderate” range.
Experts noted that the city experienced strong winds during the daytime, facilitating the dispersion of pollutants. Additionally, excess rainfall in February helped in settling down the pollutants. According to data from the India Meteorological Department, Delhi received 32.5 mm of rainfall this February, representing a 53% excess.
Anumita Roy choudhry, the executive director for research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, remarked, “We are now virtually out of the winter season with improved ventilation and stronger wind speed. This is helping in dissipating the ambient concentration. We need to watch this trend closely to understand the local and regional impacts of air pollution and to what extent the action is contributing to clean up the air.”
January witnessed the highest pollution levels since 2016, with an average AQI of 354. December 2023 was the most polluted in the past five years, while November 2023 was particularly severe, with AQI remaining in the near-severe category (an AQI of 390 and above) for 17 days.
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