AQI drops to 85 in Delhi
New Delhi: Delhi experienced its cleanest May in five years, as favorable weather conditions brought significant relief from pollution. On Saturday, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped to 85, falling into the “satisfactory” category and marking the cleanest air day in over seven months.
The AQI was last lower on October 8, 2025, when it stood at 80. May 2026 now ranks as the cleanest May the capital has seen since 2021.
Rain and Winds Ease Pollution
Residents enjoyed a respite from the intense summer heat, with gusty winds and scattered afternoon showers keeping temperatures below seasonal averages for the second consecutive day.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature settled at 37.1°C, over three degrees below normal, while the minimum dropped to 24.6°C.
Weather experts attributed the improvement in air quality to the combination of rainfall and strong winds, which helped disperse pollutants across the city.
Fourth “Satisfactory” AQI Day in May
Saturday marked the fourth day this month that Delhi’s air quality remained in the satisfactory range. Earlier in May, the city recorded AQI levels of 88, 86, and 100 on May 4, 5, and 8 respectively.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 51 and 100 indicates relatively clean air and lower health risks for residents.
IMD Issues Alerts Amid Thunderstorms
The changing weather prompted the IMD to issue alerts across Delhi and the National Capital Region. A red alert was issued for parts of north, northwest, west, central, and northeast Delhi, warning of thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds reaching 80 km/h.
Several areas saw light rainfall, with Mayur Vihar recording the highest at 4 mm, Lodhi Road 3.8 mm, and Safdarjung 0.9 mm. The weather also disrupted air traffic, diverting three flights headed for Delhi to Lucknow.
Looking Ahead
While the cooler weather has provided temporary relief, forecasters expect temperatures to rise again from next week, with maximums potentially reaching 40-42°C by June 4 as skies clear. Occasional pre-monsoon thunderstorms are expected to continue, offering intermittent breaks from the heat.
A Sharp Contrast to Last Year
This cleaner air marks a notable contrast to May 2025, when Delhi experienced one of its hottest Mays on record, with an average temperature of 41.7°C and six consecutive heatwave days at the month’s end.
This year, the city officially recorded only one heatwave day, although temperatures exceeded 40°C for nearly two weeks in the latter half of May.
