environment

Delhi Records First 'Good' AQI Day in Nearly Three Years Amid Heavy Rainfall

Published on: 09 Jul 2026, 05:24 PM

Heavy rain lashed parts of Delhi on Thursday, bringing relief from the heat but also causing waterlogging, traffic snarls, and tree falls across the city.

The city recorded its first 'Good' Air Quality Index (AQI) day in nearly two years and ten months on Thursday. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported a daily average AQI of 48 at 4 pm, the lowest so far this year. The last such 'Good' AQI day was on September 10, 2023, when the average stood at 45.

Rainfall was uneven across the Capital, with Northeast Delhi receiving the highest precipitation. Tukmirpur recorded around 160 mm of rain, comparable to some of the highest single-day July rainfall events at Safdarjung base station.

The improvement in air quality is attributed to the rain washing away particulate matter. However, the downpour also disrupted daily life, with many roads waterlogged and traffic moving slowly.

Source: Indian Express

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