A gusty wind spell over the past 24 hours has dramatically lifted air quality across the NCR, transitioning most areas from poor to moderate yellow zone levels. Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad stations report substantial drops in AQI, offering a brief respite to millions battling seasonal pollution.
Breaking down the numbers: Ghaziabad’s four UPPCB stations show Indirapuram (202), Loni (247), Sanjay Nagar (167), and Vasundhara (192). In Delhi, standout readings include DTU at a healthy 145, Dr. Karni Singh Range at 169, CRRI Mathura Road at 174, and Chandni Chowk at 203, with most falling in the 150-200 moderate range. Anand Vihar bucks the trend at 284, still unsatisfactory.
Noida mirrors the progress—Sector-62 (146), Sector-1 (139), Sector-116 (151)—all moderate. This widespread improvement covers about 80% of NCR, a stark contrast to recent red-zone dominance.
The India Meteorological Department forecasts mild conditions ahead: max 31°C, min 15-16°C till March 1, with mist possible in mornings but no storms or extremes.
Air quality specialists explain that high wind speeds scattered PM2.5 and other particulates, creating this window of cleaner air. While optimistic for steady breezes, they urge ongoing precautions like limiting outdoor activities for children and elderly, emphasizing that winter inversions could return without sustained ventilation.