Delhi breathes easy: Rain keeps AQI below 100 for most of July
Even as July and August are among the months when air quality is typically at its best in the city, because of a change in wind patterns and frequent rain due to monsoon, the Capital's AQI remained under 100 — either good or satisfactory – on 12 of 13 days this month.
After heavy showers on Saturday afternoon, rain lashed the city on Sunday evening too, and the AQI was recorded at 79 (satisfactory).
The predominant wind direction in Delhi is northwesterly and westerly. During monsoon, the direction of the wind is easterly and southeasterly. These moisture-laden winds do not carry as many pollutants, and Delhi's air, as a result, becomes cleaner. Frequent showers also help.
On Sunday, Safdarjung received 14.1 mm of rain. Pragati Maidan received 21.1 mm and 13.5 mm of rain was recorded at the Pusa weather station.
The city experienced gusty winds, reaching up to 57 kmph at Pragati Maidan, 55 kmph at Palam, and 37 kmph at Mayur Vihar.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), moderate rain is expected on Monday, followed by light rain through the week.
Sunday's maximum temperature was 34.8 degrees Celsius, a degree below normal. The minimum temperature settled at 25.1 degrees Celsius, 2 degrees below normal.
On Monday, the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be between 33 and 26 degrees Celsius.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, meanwhile, attributed the clean air to measures implemented by the government as part of the Environment Action Plan 2025.
'We are seeing a consistent pattern of better air days during months that have typically recorded higher pollution. The focus continues to be on steady implementation — from enforcement to landfill operations — to support sustainable outcomes,' he said.
The monsoon plantation drive, meanwhile, kicked off in several parts of the city, with L-G V K Saxena and MP Bansuri Swaraj planting trees at SP Marg. Similar drives were undertaken in Qutubgarh.
The Delhi government has planned to plant 70 lakh trees and shrubs this year.
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