Two days of rain bring Delhi’s AQI down to 60; minister credits ‘targeted action’

NEW DELHI: After two days of rainfall brought considerable relief from pollution in the national capital, Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday credited the government’s “targeted action” and public participation for the improvement in air quality, even as a report pointed to the significant role played by favourable weather conditions.Sirsa shared visuals of India Gate on X, highlighting an AQI reading of 93 and describing it as “Satisfactory”.

He said the improvement showed that targeted action was producing results."Seeing visuals of India Gate with a 'Satisfactory' AQI of 93 is proof that targeted action brings real results. Under the leadership of CM Rekha Gupta, our government is working round the clock on anti-pollution measures, but real change happens when governance is backed by strong Jan Bhagidari. A huge thank you to the people of Delhi for their active participation in our mission for clean air.

Let’s keep working together for a healthier, greener Delhi!!" Sirsa posted on X.However, Delhi's air quality improvement has coincided with an unusually wet October.As per news agency PTI, the city recorded an average AQI of 167 this month, its lowest October average since 2015, according to an analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).The AQI stood at 60 on Friday, making it the cleanest October day since October 10, 2022, when it was recorded at 44.

The highest AQI recorded this month was 245, the lowest monthly peak since 2015.As per the PTI report, Delhi received 61.4mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending 8.30am on Friday, making it the wettest October day in four years and the sixth wettest October day since 1951. The city recorded cumulative rainfall of 123.3mm till 8.30am on Friday, more than eight times its monthly normal of 15.1mm.The improvement in air quality comes against the backdrop of a series of unusually wet days.

The city recorded five days of 'poor' air quality, three 'satisfactory' days and 22 'moderate' days in October so far. Air quality entered the 'poor' category on October 21, when the AQI rose to 245.Manoj Kumar of CREA pointed to the influence of weather conditions while assessing the improvement in pollution levels."Delhi recorded a relatively lower average AQI in October 2026 compared with previous Octobers, although it remained 1.5 times higher than the average AQI for September 2026."AQI was already relatively low before GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) was imposed, and declined to 60 on October 30, coinciding with 61.4 mm of rainfall at Safdarjung.

This highlights the importance of accounting for meteorological influences before attributing improvements in air quality to GRAP measures."Delhi's average AQI in October was 167 this year, compared with 223 in 2025, 234 in 2024, 219 in 2023, 210 in 2022 and 264 in 2015. Its average AQI between January and October stood at 168, the lowest for the period since 2020, when it was 156.The capital also recorded its wettest October in four years, with 123.3 mm of rainfall till Friday morning.

It was also the coldest October day in terms of maximum temperature since 1951, with the maximum temperature at Safdarjung settling at 20.7 degrees Celsius on Friday.The data highlights the role of rainfall and other meteorological conditions in the recent improvement in Delhi's air quality, even as the government continues to highlight its anti-pollution measures.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in DelhiStay updated with the latest Delhi news.

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