Poor Air Quality Persists
Throughout January, Delhi and its neighboring areas encountered challenges related to air quality. Experts attribute this issue to a combination of factors,
including the winter season's influence, thermal inversions, and the absence of strong winds. These conditions collectively hinder the efficient dispersal of pollutants, thus contributing to the elevated levels of air pollution observed in the region. The impact of these conditions was evident in various locations. For instance, in Noida, the Air Quality Index (AQI) worsened, shifting from a 'Poor' category rating of 219 on a Monday to a 'Very Poor' rating of 331 on the subsequent Tuesday. Similarly, Gurgaon's air quality declined, moving from the 'Poor' to the 'Very Poor' category, with its AQI increasing from 276 on Monday to 306 on Tuesday. This pattern underscores the pervasive nature of the pollution problem affecting the NCR.
Rainfall's Limited Impact
Despite receiving rainfall, Delhi's air quality showed little improvement. Following a spell of rain on January 24, the city initially recorded an AQI of 184, which fell under the 'Moderate' category. The last time Delhi experienced such moderate air quality was on October 31, 2025, when the AQI registered at 163, largely due to strong winds. However, the subsequent rainfall did not bring lasting relief. On Tuesday, Delhi's air quality plummeted to the 'Very Poor' category, recording an AQI of 336. This represented a substantial increase from the AQI of 241 observed on Monday. At the Safdarjung base station, 4.2 mm of rainfall was documented as of 5:30 pm. This clearly demonstrates that while rainfall might offer temporary respite, it doesn't effectively mitigate the persistent air pollution issues in the region.
Weather Forecast Overview
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) provided an outlook for the weather conditions. The region, including Delhi and the NCR, witnessed fresh rainfall during the morning of Tuesday. This was accompanied by light thunderstorms and lightning throughout the evening. However, the IMD forecast predicted a generally cloudy sky for Wednesday with no rainfall expected. In addition, cold wave conditions were anticipated to affect Gurgaon and Faridabad on Wednesday. The rainfall amounts varied across different locations, with Gurgaon recording 3 mm, Ghaziabad receiving 3.5 mm, and the Palam station experiencing the highest amount at 14.6 mm. This weather data provides context on the meteorological forces at play and their effect on the air quality.
