NEW DELHI: Delhiites breathed relatively clean air on Saturday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to 69, landing in the "satisfactory" category.
The last time the city recorded a lower AQI was in October last year.The Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) data shows that it was the first time this year that the AQI was below 70.
"Widespread rain in Delhi and adjoining areas helped in settling down the pollutants," said an official.Track the pollution level in your cityCPCB data shows that June saw eight "satisfactory" air days.
Two such days were seen in May.
From January 1 to June 28, the city has witnessed 16 "satisfactory" air quality days.
The city has not seen any "good' air day so far.
However, last October saw two "good" air days, when the AQI was below 50.The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the forecasting body under the Union Ministry for Earth Sciences, said, "Rainfall was observed in parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, UP and Delhi.
The air quality is likely to remain in 'satisfactory' category from Sunday to July 4." The body added that the air quality is likely to remain between the "satisfactory" and "moderate" categories in the coming six days.CPCB classifies an AQI between 0 and 50 as "good"; between 51 and 100 as "satisfactory"; between 101 and 200 as "moderate"; between 201 and 300 as "poor"; between 301 and 400 "very poor" and over 400 as "severe".Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department has predicted rain for the next seven days and a "yellow" alert is in place for July 5 and 6 as light to moderate rains are expected.The maximum temperature on Saturday was recorded at 35.4 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal.
The minimum temperature settled at 25.4 degrees Celsius, three degrees below normal.
The relative humidity oscillated from 65% to 98%."Light rain or thundershowers are expected till July 4.
However, rain activity may intensify on July 5 and 6 as light to moderate rain or thundershowers may lash the city," said a met official.The day temperature is likely to rise to 36 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
It may dip again to 34 degrees Celsius by July 5.