Cleanest Air of 2024 Recorded in Delhi
Delhi experienced its best air quality of the year following record rainfall in September. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city dropped to 52, placing it in the “satisfactory” category, just shy of the “good” classification. This improvement is a refreshing change for the capital, known for its pollution challenges.

Neighboring Cities See ‘Good’ AQI Levels
Other NCR cities like Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida also witnessed significant air quality improvements. Faridabad recorded an AQI of 24, while Ghaziabad and Noida posted AQIs of 34 and 46, respectively, all classified as “good.”

Heavy Rainfall Clears Pollutants
The dramatic improvement in air quality is attributed to the active monsoon, which brought substantial rainfall to the region. Strong winds ranging from 30-40 kmph further dispersed pollutants. Delhi exceeded both its annual and seasonal rainfall averages early in September, with total rainfall surpassing 1,000 mm.

Record Rainfall in September
Delhi recorded heavy rainfall across multiple locations, with Palam receiving 54 mm and Safdarjung registering 30.9 mm in just three hours. The city’s total September rainfall reached 125.8 mm, which is 55% higher than the usual average, according to official data. This compares to September 2023, which saw below-average rainfall at just 82.7 mm.

AQI and Rainfall Categories Explained
The AQI scale ranges from “good” (0-50) to “severe” (401-500), with “satisfactory” (51-100) indicating minimal risk to health. Rainfall between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm is classified as “heavy,” 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm as “very heavy,” and above 204.5 mm as “extremely heavy.”